Confucius Ads Library: Ads

Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Enddate	Cta Text	Caption	Display Format	Link Description	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
2,706,699	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Keep Your Horse Parasite-Free with EP Minus	Keep your horse healthy and parasite-free with EP Minus!	LEARN_MORE	https://www.silverliningherbs.com/collections/best	Silver Lining Herbs	https://www.facebook.com/SilverLiningHerbs/	42,550	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	SilverLiningHerbs.com	DCO	{{product.description}}	https://www.silverliningherbs.com/collections/best-sellers?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=EP+Minus&utm_content=EP+Minus	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481661356_1700504864151891_5349031995547798416_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YoM7sPno6RoQ7kNvgGgi7In&_nc_oc=AdhbmJq1O98_DLKfRlqog69xSoo8QB2q4suFWiUCg4F171tini9xloe0N0YVLjIezW3M6m6JRWVOdesfZRg0uSRt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHKJlok4DNU1pDju8UVj2w_&oh=00_AYBRTczUSmg4soW8DdTUi5YeCZqL_UqLY-ZCQ_21q9l4yg&oe=67C74115	PERSON_PROFILE	Silver Lining Herbs	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,858	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706778}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔥 Download Goodnovel to read the full novel 😍👉👉👉👉 "Seducing My Ex's Father In Law"	Today was supposed to be the day my fated mate and I got engaged. But now I’m watching him kiss another woman. Marrying her could make him the future Alpha because she’s the daughter of Gavin Landry, the most powerful Lycan chairman in the world. A couple of months ago, our Alpha died during a battle, and now all the candidates are competing for that position, including my mate, Ethan. Everyone knows the Lycans control the werewolf population. And Gavin? He could singlehandedly appoint everyone the new Alpha. So, Ethan made his choice. Her, not me. “Get me a whiskey and a martini for the lady,” A deep voice sounded from nearby. “Is it the future bride, or the future groom that’s got you in a mood?” “I’m just not into parties,” I decided to say. “Nor am I,” he murmured. “I’m here out of obligation.” The bartender placed my drink in front of me and I immediately took a sip, sighing in contentment. I waited for it to do its job and finish numbing the pain. Every time Ethan kissed her it destroyed me a little more. How had my life taken such a devastating turn? How could my fated mate do this to me? Did our 2 years together truly mean nothing? Did the mark on my neck mean that little to him? “Thank you for the drink,” I told the man. I took one last sip of my martini and started to get down from the stool, except my blouse snagged on the corner of the counter and just as I heard a tearing sound, I began to fall to the ground. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I felt strong arms wrapping around my body, lifting me into the air. I opened my eyes and peeked up at the man who caught me, and my breath hitched. He was so handsome. He held me with ease as if I weighed nothing and I could tell from the feeling of his arms around me that he was muscular. He smiled down at me and a dimple appeared on his right cheek. I wanted to lick that dimple. “Madam, are you falling for me?” He asked teasingly. I stared at him for a heartbeat longer before I squinted my eyes at him, seeing what he did there. “You’re a funny one, aren’t you?” He grinned. Then he looked at my shirt and immediately frowned. “Let me take you to my suite upstairs,” he said, making my heart skip a beat. “What?” I said in barely a whisper. His eyes met mine and I got lost in their beauty for a moment. Goddess, his good looks were sinful. “Your shirt is ripped. I have one you can wear upstairs in my VIP suite,” he explained. I blinked a couple of times and gave a nervous chuckle. “Oh, alright. Thank you,” I managed to sputter. He turned to the bartender. “Charge our drinks to my suite,” he ordered. “Yes, sir.” I allowed the man to carry me out of the room. His arms were so warm that I found myself resting my head against his broad chest, breathing in his minty scent. My wolf was practically purring in my mind. She’d been quiet for most of the evening while she licked the wounds the broken mate bond had caused. But right now, it was as if she had forgotten she was heartbroken. “Take off your shirt,” he instructed once we were in the suite. He had released me and was walking to the closet. “Excuse me?” I squeaked. “So, you can put on a new shirt,” he explained. “Right,” I breathed. I lifted my ripped shirt over my head and threw it onto the bed, leaving me in only my innerwear from the waist up. Once he found a shirt, he turned around to face me, and his entire body froze as his eyes trailed down my body. I was too busy checking him out to notice him staring at me but the longer I stared at him, the more I started to recognize him. Then, realization struck me, and I gasped. “It’s you…” I breathed, taking a step back. His eyes shifted upward and met mine; his brow arched. “You know me?” He asked. “I know of you,” I clarified. The corner of his lips tipped upward as he walked towards me, slowly, as if he were stalking his prey. I could practically hear the sounds of my heartbeat. “And what do you know of me?” “Only what I’ve heard…” I admitted. “And what have you heard?” “You’re Gavin Landry, Lycan Chairman. You’re a heartbreaker. You have a new woman each week and you never sleep with the same woman twice.” He raised his brows. “Is that so?” He asked. “Tell me more about myself.” Heck, he's the father of the bride and Ethan's future father-in-law? I'm confused, I don't know what I should do. But I'm not surprised I didn't recognize him at first. The Lycan family isn't high profile, they're more used to staying behind the scenes than becoming politicians and celebrities like werewolf Alpha. Should I tell him who I am? But that would be foolish at this moment. He continued to walk towards me, and I continued to walk backward until my back hit the wall. “What more do you want to know?” I asked, my voice coming out breathy. “Everything.” I’m not sure if it was the martini speaking or me, but I decided to be bold. If Ethan can indulge himself in someone new, then so could I. I lifted my gaze to meet his as he neared closer. “Your eyes…” I started to say. “I’ve heard that they were mesmerizing, and I must agree.” “What else?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “When you smile, you have this adorable dimple on your cheek…” I whispered. He was only inches from me now, staring so intently at me that I thought I would burn up under his scrutiny. He licked his lips, drawing my attention to his mouth. “And your lips…” Before I could finish that sentence, his mouth crashed into mine. His kiss was anything but soft and sweet but filled with hunger and possession. I kissed him with just as much eagerness. His tongue made its way to mine, tasting every inch of me. He lifted me into the air, my body pinned between the wall and him. Instinctively I wrapped my legs around his waist and allowed him to deepen the kiss. His tongue trailed down the nape of my neck and warmth spread across my body as I felt him nibbling my soft flesh. All self-control and common sense left my mind the moment we kissed. All I could think about was Gavin; he consumed my mind, body, and soul entirely. I pulled at his tie, wanting to take it and his shirt off. He helped me undo his tie and then lifted his shirt over his head, tossing it to the ground. I let my fingers explore his body; they roamed over his torso and up his broad shoulders. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue found mine again. “Are you sure you want this?” He asked between kisses. “Yes,” I rasped out. “We are both willing adults, so why not?” We kissed again and just as he was about to take off my innerwear, I received a tearful mindlink from my adoptive mother. “Judy! Please, come home!” She sounded panicked; my mother never panicked. Hearing her voice was like cold water being dumped on my head and I gasped. I let my legs fall from around him and I pressed against his chest. “Stop,” I said breathlessly. “I have to go.” He frowned. “I don’t have much patience; stop joking,” he says, a hint of anger in his tone. “I’m so sorry. But I’m sure you have plenty of other options,” I said and started to run towards the door, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me. I whirl around to face him, my own anger rushing to the surface but before I can say anything, he points to the bed. “Your shirt is ripped, remember?” I looked down at my innerwear with a frown. “Oh…” He sighed, grabbing his shirt and putting it over my head. I inhaled deeply and warmth spread throughout my body; it smelled like him. …… The moment I stepped into the house; I could hear my mother sobbing. “Judy?” My mother sobbed; I could hear that she was in the kitchen and my heart stuttered at the sound of her broken voice. “Your father was taken away by the Gammas tonight.” Chapter 2 Judy’s POV My heart fell into my stomach. “What?!” I gasped. We lived in a decent-sized house; my adoptive father, being a successful businessman and a Delta of the Redmoon pack, had a lot of money. “He was arrested,” she explained. “He made a bad investment for the company, and he ended up losing all the money. He went completely bankrupt and now he owes the pack so much money. Until he pays it, they put him in jail.” “They can’t just come and take him away like this,” I said, standing to my feet, hardly able to contain my emotions. “Without any warning? That’s not fair!” “They can do whatever they want. The Beta is under the jurisdiction of the Lycans, and it was his decision. Loan sharks are ruthless, and nobody wishes to deal with them. It’s easier to just get rid of the problem and right now… your father is the problem.” Before I could say anything more, my phone started to ring. I reached into my bag and pulled it out. I frowned when I saw the name flash across the screen. “I heard about your father,” Ethan’s voice was soft as he spoke, and my traitorous heart skipped a beat. I hated how my body responded to him still; it was because of this foolish mate bond. Even though he rejected me, and I accepted it, that didn’t mean it severed our bond. It won’t be severed until he marks someone else.“I might have a suggestion though. But I’d like to tell you in person. Come outside.” I quickly left the kitchen and walked out of the house. Ethan was leaning against his car with his arms folded across his chest. Goddess, I hated how good he looked. I had been in love with him for longer than 2 years. He was my friend, my confidant, my fated mate. When he rejected me, it destroyed everything I had dreamt of. I wrapped my arms around my body, desperately trying to hold myself together. “Why are you here?” I asked him after a long and awkward silence. “I wanted to talk to you,” he replied. “Why?” The corner of his lips tipped upwards as he stared at me; I nearly melted under his scrutiny, and I had to shift my gaze to look at the ground. “Because I can help you,” he answered. “Your father’s funding chain is broken, and he now owes a lot of money. I know for a fact that he doesn’t have that kind of money, especially now that his business has gone under. But I do.” I lifted my gaze to meet him; he was serious. “Are you saying you’d pay my father’s debt?” I asked him. He nodded. “Yes,” he answered. “And what would we have to do in return?” I asked, almost afraid to ask. He smirked, which gave me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “There is a condition,” he confessed. I waited silently for him to continue, my eyes never leaving his. “After I get married, I want you to drop out of school and become my mistress.” I couldn’t have heard him correctly; I stared at him with my jaw practically on the ground. “Excuse me?” I managed to sputter. “You want me to what??” “Drop out of school and become my mistress. I already have a luxurious home for you to live in. You would never have to want for anything. I’ll pay off your father’s debt and give you more money than you could dream of.” “How… how could you ask me to do such a thing?” I asked in a choked whisper; tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I kept them away, not wanting him to see my break. He stepped closer to me, and I felt rooted to the ground, unable to move away. My wolf was whimpering about his request; she couldn’t believe our mate could ask such a thing from us. She was gutted and I hated that she was put in this position. “Because we’ve always been so good together, Judy,” he said, reaching out and touching my arm gently. “We will always have this strong connection, even if I mark someone else. You and your family would be set for life… all you have to do is say yes…” He was rubbing his fingers up and down my arms and I felt sick to my stomach. I finally found the strength to step away from him, my body trembling. “No,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I would never become your mistress.” His eyes darkened. “I’m about to become the Alpha, Judy. You must get with the times. Becoming my mistress would only benefit you and plus, don’t you want your father out of jail?” “I will find another way,” I said through my teeth. “If that’s all you came here to say, then I’ve heard enough. You can leave.” He raised his brows as he stared at me. He studied me for a moment longer like he expected me to change his mind at any moment. “You’ll change your mind,” he told me as he stepped away from me and towards his car. “And when you do, I’ll be here. But until then, your father will remain in prison.” “I’ll figure it out,” I said to his retreating back. “We don’t need you, Ethan!” He chuckled as he opened his car door and then he turned back to gaze into my eyes. “In order to get him out of prison, you’ll need at least 5 million dollars. When you realize that there’s no other option, you’ll come to your senses. I’m sure of it.” Without another word, he got into his car. I watched as he drove away, disappearing into the night. It was only when he disappeared that I allowed myself to fall to the ground. Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them. 5 million dollars? How was I going to come up with that kind of money? —————— I had two classes this morning and one later in the afternoon. My first class was warrior training, and my second class was shifting, both of which I excelled at. I was going to college for Gamma training so that once I graduated, I could prove myself to the Gamma force and become a warrior. Then I would easily be able to pay off my father’s debt and save my family. “You look terrible,” my best friend, Nan, pointed out as I sat beside her against the large Oaktree; the very tree we always met up at. “It was a rough night,” I admitted as I took out my textbook to study. “Where did you go last night? When I returned, you were gone. Did you leave early because of the engagement party?” I bit my lower lip as I thought about what to say to her. If I lied, she’d be able to see right through me. I was a terrible liar initially, but Nan could read me like a book. “I ripped my shirt, and someone brought me into his room to change,” I said, feeling my cheeks growing warm at the memory. She raised her brows, and I could barely look at her. “You went to someone’s room?” She asked. “Whose?” I was quiet for a moment, and she grabbed my arm, getting my attention. “Judy, who did you leave with?” She asked, now her voice was filled with alarm. I knew there was no getting out of this conversation. I bit my lip and peeked up at her through my lashes. “Gavin Landry,” I squeaked. Chapter 3 Judy’s POV “Shut up!” She gasped. “Are you serious?? You went to Gavin Landry’s VIP suite? As in THE Gavin Landry?!” I nearly tackled her; she was being so loud! “Keep your voice down!” I scolded, attempting to cover her mouth with my hands but she was too quick and dodged me. “How can I possibly keep it down when my best friend went to Gavin Landry’s hotel room last night and waited until now to tell me!” She exclaimed. Nan was a waitress at the hotel restaurant the engagement party was at last night. The hotel, called Carter Resorts, was in the human territory, and it was owned by Patrick Carter, the Delta of the Silver Crescent pack. Which happened to be Gavin Landry’s pack. I wasn’t surprised to see Gavin there last night, especially considering his daughter was the bride-to-be. I was less surprised to see that he had a VIP suite at the hotel. I sighed. “It all happened so fast, and I had a bit too much to drink,” I admitted. “I forgot when I got home because other stuff happened.” I wrapped my arms around my body and looked up at her concerned eyes. “What else happened?” She asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. I took a deep breath, and I told Nan everything that happened, right up until Ethan came over and asked me to be his mistress in exchange for him paying off my father’s debt. By the time I finished talking, Nan’s jaw had dropped. “The nerve of that scum!” She hissed. “How dare he! He rejected you and now he wants you to be his bit on the side?! He has zero shame.” “I’m not sure what I’m going to do, Nan,” I whispered. “There’s no way I could come up with 5 million dollars to pay off my father’s debt.” We both fell silent as our thoughts consumed us and then her face lit up. I knew that look well and it grew nervous as a smile spread across her face. I knew right away that she had an idea, and I also knew that I wasn’t going to like it. “You said that he gave you his shirt to wear?” She asked. I nodded. She gasped and grabbed my arm. “Isn’t it obvious, Judy? Gavin is into you. That’s the only reason he’d give you his shirt. He wanted his scent on you! He's very picky. In all my time as a waitress, you're the first woman he's ever offered.” I gawked at her. She had officially lost her mind. “Gavin’s not into me,” I said, shaking my head. “He gave me his shirt because mine ripped. There was nothing to it.” “Why would he even care?” Nan asked, folding her arms across her chest. “He’s Gavin Landry and doesn’t need to care about any of this. Besides, you mentioned that he kissed you heatedly. You were ready to go all the way with him, which is huge because you were planning on waiting until after you were married. There had to be some kind of connection last night.” I glanced at my hands. “Or maybe I was just hurting and wanted to get back at Ethan,” I murmured. “Plus, I had a little too much to drink.” “Drunk actions are sober thoughts or something like that,” she said, waving away my words. Then, she smirked. “You could use this to your advantage. Do you still have that lingerie you bought for your wedding night? You should pay Gavin a little visit and make him an offer he can’t refuse.” ___ I knew it was a bad idea the moment she spoke the words, but her words continued to replay in my mind for the remainder of the day and night. When I woke up the next morning, my mind was made up. I went to my closet and grabbed my red lingerie. I had only tried it on once and I felt a little self-conscious wearing it, but I knew the night of my wedding when I finally gave myself over to Ethan fully, it wouldn’t matter what I was wearing. My heart ached at the thought, and I quickly brushed it out of my head before I started to cry again. I dressed in the lingerie, and I grabbed a long trench coat, wrapping it around my body. I left my hair down and I put on a little makeup to make my features pop. For the last day or so, my mother had either been speaking on the phone to lawyers, visiting my father in prison, or in her room. I had barely seen or spoken to her since I told her Ethan wasn’t going to help us. I hated knowing I disappointed her, but hopefully, this would fix all our problems. It was no secret where Gavin’s office was; everybody knew the famous Gavin Landry Corporation. When I walked through the front door, the receptionist was typing on her computer. She barely spared me a look as I approached the desk. “Good morning, I’m here to see Gavin Landry,” I said as politely as I could. The receptionist looked upward at me and blinked a couple of times, looking less than amused. “Do you have an appointment?” “Uh, no, but—” “Look, I don’t have time for this. Countless women come in here and request to speak with Gavin and I’m going to tell you what I tell them. Mr. Landry is incredibly busy, and he doesn’t have time or patience to be dealing with another fan girl,” she said bitterly. “And what gives you the right to turn away those who come to see me?” A deep voice boomed. Chapter 4 Judy’s POV “Mr. Landry,” the receptionist said, quickly standing to her feet. She suddenly seemed disheveled, and I wanted to smirk with satisfaction, but I kept it held in. “I asked you a question, Laura,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. “What gives you the right to send away guests? You know the protocol. You are to call my office, and I am the one who decides whether or not I will see them or not. Not you.” She swallowed and glanced at the ground as if staring directly at him physically hurt her. “Come with me.” It took me a second to realize he was speaking to me, but when I saw the receptionist glaring at me and Gavin’s retreating back, I nearly stumbled over my feet to catch up to him. He walked through a luxurious waiting room until we reached a glass elevator. It was very high-tech with a touch screen attached to it. He brought up a keypad and typed in some sequence before pressing the floor number. He stood so close to me that the elevator felt almost cramped, despite it being a wide space. I could smell his incredible minty scent, mixed in with his aftershave and my heart skipped a beat. He didn’t bother looking at me though and I was starting to doubt this plan would work. Maybe he didn’t like me as much as I thought he did. I felt awkward knowing that under this coat was nothing but lingerie. The elevator came to a halt and the doors opened. It was an extremely large space with marble flooring and granite walls. “Where exactly is your office?” I asked, staring around the gorgeous area. He glanced at me; his face kept indifferent. “This is my office.” My eyes grew large at his words. He continued walking until he rounded the corner and sure enough, there was his desk right in front of large windows that overlooked the human city. It was gorgeous and my stomach twisted with nerves. He didn’t bother sitting on his desk chair. Instead, he turned to face me, leaning against his desk and folding his arms across his chest. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I took him in. He wore a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up halfway, showing off his incredible muscles and his dark dress pants hugged his waist perfectly, showcasing his incredible form. My wolf purred with satisfaction, and I found myself staring at him for way longer than I intended to. He cleared his throat, making me nearly jump out of my skin as my gaze shot upward and met his. He was smirking at me, as if to say, “Caught you.” My cheeks burned from the embarrassment I felt. “So, what did you come here for?” He asked, breaking the tension between us. Oh. Right. The reason I’m here. “I have a problem, and I need your help,” I said in a rush. He raised his right brow. “What kind of problem?” I cleared my throat before continuing. “My father was arrested the other night,” I blurted. “His business went bankrupt, and he owes a lot of money. Roughly 5 million dollars.” He was silent as he stared at me; I realized he was waiting for me to continue. Probably wanted to know how I needed his help. “I was hoping you’d be able to help him and maybe pay the debt for my father so he could get out of prison?” I asked, biting my lip. He was quiet for another moment, processing my request before he ran his hands over his face. “And what would I get in return for helping your family?” He asked. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Confidence: I needed confidence. I held my head up high and looked him right in the eyes. It was known as a challenge to look an Alpha directly in the eyes, even worse so looking a Lycan directly in the eyes. But Gavin wasn’t as angry as I thought he would be, instead, he looked intrigued. “Well,” I began, I dropped my voice low as I stepped closer to him. “At the party the other day, we obviously had a connection…” I felt my cheeks growing hot as I spoke those words. “And I thought maybe…” I took a deep breath and undid my coat, revealing a portion of my lingerie, but not all of it. Not yet at least. His eyes darkened as he gazed over my body, and I nearly melted under his scrutiny. I suddenly had a surge of confidence, and I reached my hand out to touch his arm. “I thought maybe I could do some favors for you in return,” I said in a sultry voice. “I’m a college student and very clean. I haven’t done it before, but I’m on birth control, so you don’t need to worry about anything.” His breathing grew heavy as he straightened his posture, closing the small gap between us. His nearness was intoxicating, and my heart started to race against my chest. His scent enveloped me, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this delirious. He reached his hand up and I felt his fingers glide down my cheek, sending a wave of warmth throughout my whole body. We were so close together that I thought I was going to pass out from the heat that consumed me. His eyes were dark like they were the night in the VIP suite. He swallowed hard and I watched his Adam’s apple move slightly. I closed my eyes, preparing for him to kiss me. I could feel his breath on my lips and just as I leaned in close to him, getting ready for his embrace, it never came. Instead, I felt him adjusting my coat, covering my body. My eyes flew open, and I looked at his stern expression. “Do you really think I need to pay a woman for her body?” He asked, breaking the silence. “You said it yourself that I have many options.” My cheeks flushed immediately. “I just thought—” “You thought you could use your body to pay for my help,” he said, interrupting me. “You are still young, Miss Montague. You will regret taking such shortcuts in the future.” How did he know my name? I hadn’t told him. Had he looked into me? My heart skipped a beat at the thought, but his words were slowly crushing me. He didn’t want me. I lowered my gaze, hating how hot my face was getting. I knew he could see just how embarrassed I was. When he spoke next, he softened his voice and spoke with compassion. “Look, I have a daughter,” he told me. “I would never teach her to use her body as a transaction. I want more for her and her future, and I expect better from her.” He reached his hand and caressed the nape of my neck with his fingertips; my breath hitched as I gazed into his eyes. “I expected better from you,” he added; my heart fell into my stomach and disappointment consumed me. He was right. I was better than this. I nodded my head and opened my mouth to speak, but I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see a couple of security guards standing nearby and I whipped around to look at Gavin with wide eyes. “I’m afraid my time is up, and my patience has run out,” Gavin said, looking at me briefly before glancing at the security guards. “Accompany Miss Montague out of the building, please.” “Yes sir,” they both said. They stood on each side of me, and I stared at Gavin with shock. I didn’t fight or argue with the security guards as they told me to come with them. “Thank you for your time,” I managed to say before I turned and left the office. I wanted to cry because of the shame, but I knew more importantly I needed a new job. …. “I’m so excited we get to work together,” Nan said with a wide smile. “And you look great in that uniform.” I looked down at my uniform. I felt ridiculous in this thing; it was a short skirt and a crop top that showed way too much bosom. I felt like I was on display. Especially at night when this place pretty much turned into a club. These men are wealthy and would tip generously. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up when I was struggling for money. “That’s what friends are for,” she said, nudging my arm with hers. She looked behind me and sighed. “Looks like we are getting a group of guys. Good luck,” she said. I sighed and turned to greet the customers but then I froze when I saw who was amongst them. Ethan. Chapter 5 Judy’s POV “You were right,” I heard one of his friends saying. “She does work here. This is going to be so good.” “Hey, call girl, can we get a table, or are you just going to stare at us?” Call girl? I placed the menus on the table for them and waited for each of them to take a seat. “I’m not a call girl. Please, take your seat.” As I leaned over the table to put the beer in front of each of them, one of them grabbed my rear end. I felt my entire body freeze. “I like this little uniform on you. How about you take it off and see what’s underneath.” My entire body went hot as I stepped back from the table, forcing his hand to drop. “Do not touch me,” I said loudly to each of them. “Oh, come on, Judy. Aren’t you here to satisfy men?” Another of his friends asked. “So come here and satisfy us. Sit on my lap.” I pressed my lips together. “I’m not a call girl,” I told them for the final time. “I’m a waitress.” “You got this job because you’re hot,” one of them chuckled. “The manager didn’t care about your skills. He cared about whether or not you could flirt with the customers and make him a lot of money. I’m willing to give you a good tip if you let me see what’s underneath your uniform and sit on my lap.” I felt my blood going cold from his words. “Come here baby girl,” he said, patting his lap and winking at me. I just stared at him, disbelieving. I looked at Ethan who was watching me, waiting to see what I would do. How could he just let his friends speak to me like this? At one point, he would have never allowed this. He would have punched anyone who looked at me with desire in their eyes. Now, he was acting as if he didn’t care. “I’ll give you 10 thousand dollars if you drink this entire beer,” one of his friends asked. My mouth nearly fell open. “What?” I asked. “You heard me,” he answered. “Drink this whole beer and you’ll get 10 thousand dollars.” “We’ll all give you 10 thousand dollars each if you drink all of our beers,” another one said. I stared at the beer and then at the men. My eyes landed on Ethan once more; he raised his brows, waiting for my answer. Swallowing my pride, I stepped towards the table and grabbed one of the glasses. I really didn’t like beer, but money was money, and I knew Ethan’s friends were rich and could pay that kind of money easily. I needed the cash to get my father out of prison and pay off his debt. I brought the cup to my lips and let the liquid run down my throat. I winced at the bitter taste, but I kept pushing myself until the cup was empty. His friends were cheering and chanting as I drank the contents of the cup. I slammed the cup on the counter and looked at the next guy who slid his beer at me, winking as he did so. I chugged his beer as well. I only got halfway through the third glass when I felt a firm grip around my wrist and I was yanked away. I heard Ethan’s friends booing and telling him he was a party pooper. I had no idea where Ethan was taking me; he was quiet until we reached outside and then he whipped around to glare at me. “Accept my offer and stop this foolishness,” he ordered. “I won’t be your mistress, Ethan,” I told him, narrowing my eyes, my head fuzzy from the beer. “You can forget about that.” “You’d rather act like a little call girl instead?” He asked through his teeth. “You looked ridiculous in there!” “Why do you care? You have your fiancé. This is my private business, and my private business no longer includes you.” “You are still mine, Judy. You will always be mine,” he growled. I wanted to laugh at his ridiculousness, but I also wanted to cry. He was so sweet at one point; I spent more than 2 years loving this man. Now as he stood before me, I realized he was a stranger. “I am not yours,” I told him, glad that my voice came out stronger than I felt. He let out a bitter laugh. “Fine, be a call girl for all I care,” he growled. “Spread your legs for money because that’s all you’re good for—” Before I could stop myself, my hand swung and made contact with his cheek, causing a loud slap. He didn’t flinch but he did grow angrier as he went to grab my throat. He froze though when he looked at my neck and I watched the color draining from his face. “What the heck,” he hissed. He grabbed my chin and yanked my head to the side. “Is that a lovebite?” I realized when getting dressed this morning that the lovebite Gavin left on me the other night was still there. It was fading, but visible. “So, what if it is?” I asked. He released my chin and glared at me, his gaze icy. “Who the heck have you been with?” “That’s not your concern,” I retorted. I turned to walk away, but he gripped my arm, making me whimper in pain as he whipped me around to face him again. “Answer my freaking question, Judy! Who have you been with?!” Through gritted teeth, I answered, “Gavin. Your future father-in-law. Happy now?” He released me and let out a bark of laughter. “Are you kidding me? You don’t have to make up such a ridiculous story,” Ethan said through a fit of laughter. I heard more laughter from nearby and I realized Ethan’s friends were crowding around. “Is she talking about Gavin Landry? He has standards. He would never go for a girl like, Judy.” “Yeah, Judy is a call girl and Gavin is a Lycan chairman. There’s no way,” another friend laughed. “I’m being serious,” I told them, folding my arms across my chest. This time Ethan did grab my throat, and his gaze turned almost deadly. “Stop playing me for a fool and tell me the truth,” he growled. “Gavin would never want someone like you. You are nobody. You don’t fit into his world. ” I couldn’t breathe as his hands tightened around my throat, so I couldn’t respond. “Now, how about you do as I say and move into the house I bought? Once I get married, I’ll see you frequently at night and you can spread your pretty little legs for me only—” There was a loud honk from nearby, making Ethan drop his hold around my neck. I coughed and rubbed my sore neck as he glared at the person interrupting us. I glanced at the black limo and frowned when the door opened. I gasped when I saw Gavin seated in the back, his eyes on me. “Get in,” he ordered. I stared at him, disbelieving. “I won’t ask you again, Judy,” he said through his teeth. I felt Ethan’s shocked eyes on me as I quickly hurried towards the car and got in, closing the door behind me. “Drive,” he instructed the driver. “Yes, sir.” The car started to move; Ethan stood on the curb; his mouth nearly dropped. His friends were equally shocked. Gavin glanced at me, and I felt my cheeks redden. “Using me to make your ex-fiancé jealous, are you?”	LEARN_MORE	https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&u	Enjoying reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559698863477/	310	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	getokn.com	VIDEO		https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481465347_1174733197555723_2088736726279069554_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=owW93FZvpOkQ7kNvgH-acPU&_nc_oc=Adi0DNjsAmq0iHt1Jn1WmVhqmvzEfg6NR2rro_vlDrPGs2Yh6RWfjtZVzP9ptYePF_NxEP9-bdoGgqFGkoKM6pUw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AoIhAlbnaLo-abNKHye8pD-&oh=00_AYAIBxZrG6oD47I4UGLyHuDmNU3RXyHviIjqMryU1M0IuQ&oe=67C715D2	PERSON_PROFILE	Enjoying reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,768	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706772}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Heel Pain’s Worst Nightmare	I thought pain relief meant frumpy, ugly shoes. KURU proved me wrong. Now I have happy feet and a happy wardrobe! 🦶Built for Heel Pain Relief 🌟37,000+ 5-Star Reviews 👟45-Day Returns & Exchanges	SHOP_NOW	https://www.kurufootwear.com/pages/kuru-guru	KURU Footwear	https://www.facebook.com/kurufootwear/	150,353	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	kuruguru.com	DCO	Over 2 Million Pairs Sold	https://www.kurufootwear.com/pages/kuru-guru	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480688453_9456794934380810_6817319843766166468_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b0d9mLp-oaAQ7kNvgFj9EdM&_nc_oc=AdiVqV5LDs2CFbZZ_w6D_xFxMy-wFY5GMwAqueKjICmGMdu3wYKNvKqriKaqEHDa0W8eb-YOxAi_KTDmr_HS7-If&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AYCvgeMvlDm3IcgG6G4XXiE&oh=00_AYAm9Fjyv40bQZUKsvHtynl4RRNor2DQ1SQTFyQbNyuLQg&oe=67C72498	PERSON_PROFILE	KURU Footwear	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,072	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Tap to learn more...	Why do some people hit 50 without discomfort while others struggle with Neuropathy problems?	LEARN_MORE	https://lc.nsaturnwhite.com/67b3b2c2b88b44fbc2697b	Synthia Wilson	https://www.facebook.com/61572196872136/	40	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	lc.nsaturnwhite.com	VIDEO		https://lc.nsaturnwhite.com/67b3b2c2b88b44fbc2697b2d?sub1={{ad.id}}&sub2={{adset.id}}&sub3={{campaign.id}}&sub4={{ad.name}}&sub5={{adset.name}}&sub6={{campaign.name}}&sub7={{placement}}&sub8={{site_source_name}}&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481980221_8452297898207052_4629428068574836450_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f8LxAu1loTwQ7kNvgFL1gOk&_nc_oc=AdiXE3vE6qZh6gpMX7pMvRAR03WMG9aXGwGsu83WX-4qd3DS9Hw3hgRGWmLh6aYWus_8XmB-WVF8Gr9mLGOJRSuC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AsQsRN8fxRTOuJ0ShrcTO2v&oh=00_AYCeUDkJh9My5b-aFFWSRd1qbBRl0flk0bBpIZaIPLMpGg&oe=67C735FC	PERSON_PROFILE	Synthia Wilson	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,533	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706555}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:31	active	2651	Take back your life and start living pain-free.	Struggling with neuropathy, pain, and sleepless nights? Whether your discomfort is due to diabetes, age, or underlying health conditions... neuropathy can disrupt your life and sleep. It's essential to find a solution before another night of pain and discomfort takes its toll... Mama Bear Nerve Relief Lotion harnesses the power of magnesium to offer relief from neuropathy, pain, and sleep disturbances almost instantly. This special blend seeps deep into the skin, targeting the root cause of your neuropathic discomfort. Just a dab before bedtime is all it takes, and you can drift into a peaceful, deep sleep, free from neuropathy pain. Mama Bear Nerve Relief Lotion also comes with FREE Shipping & a 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Experience pain relief and restful nights or get your money back, guaranteed. ✅ Alleviates neuropathic pain ✅ Natural magnesium blend for effective pain relief (no harsh chemicals) ✅ Endorsed & loved by those suffering from neuropathy across the country for its effectiveness	SHOP_NOW	https://mamabearoasis.com/blogs/news/neuropathy?ut	Mama Bear Oasis	https://www.facebook.com/100088425910904/	4,507	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop now	mamabearoasis.com	VIDEO		https://mamabearoasis.com/blogs/news/neuropathy?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{adset.name}}&utm_term={{ad.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469957833_904594458431927_201851266385761526_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yFff7W46A7EQ7kNvgF2Dz8C&_nc_oc=Adi-I9uosJSJ0nqB5-2QhsEe-CycRexyEKwBCIPochvKTY4SnLwo4f8G7wAmcEgwIi0kNReOB7OGKLKCCatxyv33&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AduyuvuBqIgF_eqYRwt8uE9&oh=00_AYBy7MBGQrmOyOxGlA2FbaDXiO-GpDyzcs8LUVwSQGXjRg&oe=67C744F6	PERSON_PROFILE	Mama Bear Oasis	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,531	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706433}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	$19 New Patient Special - FULL Exam, X-Rays, Consult, Dr's Report & 1st Adjustment!	It's me again, Dr. Tim Yoder, D.C. with Yoder Chiropractic Center. I wanted to give you a quick tour of our State of the Art Adjustment & Rehab facility - and also tell you about our new patient special offer! Want a FULL Exam, a consultation, Digital X-Rays (if needed), and your First adjustment for only $19? 😍 We are offering new patients the following: ✅Chiropractic Consultation ✅FULL Spinal Examination ✅Doctor's Report ✅1 Stress-Releasing Adjustment ✅Digital X-Rays for just $19! As long as you can see this ad, we still have new patient specials available. BUT, this is a limited time offer, and it can go away at any time. So don't delay - claim your offer before we stop running this promotion! Due to federal laws, Medicaid and Medicare recipients are not eligible for this new patient special offer. CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO GET THIS OFFER AS VOUCHERS ARE SENT OUT ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVE BASIS.	LEARN_MORE		Yoder Chiropractic Center	https://www.facebook.com/yoderchiropraticenter/	1,964	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More		DCO	Limited Time Offer		1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481176393_8797101120389722_1682269649449319427_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_yXFDKmlA4MQ7kNvgFgmUtP&_nc_oc=AdgfIJuG1MvSZebqPEyb6wOyW5W3tqjlo14N1ST-0MZM-dL39_EUaa7UQCjyYVBNb7sVA6y2xcvkx3Uk3S9jR1Tu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AllrzYwAzg5th12zWCijWE7&oh=00_AYBwvD3rDlmGL0fT_NwaIIcscf9NtGwLvMY59ueRqa9W5w&oe=67C73EAB	PERSON_PROFILE	Yoder Chiropractic Center	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,497	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707496}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:31	active	2651	🔥A Flash Marriage with the Billionaire Tycoon	🔥Not gonna lie, I’ve watched this short drama 44 times. Don’t believe it? Check it out!🤩 🎬Elise was a normal accountant of Hawthorn Group. She worked very carefully to avoid any problem, but she made a huge mistake despite of her caution. She was on a business trip and was drunk, then she accidentally had an one-night stand with her boss Lucian. Her fate had changed since then...#honeyreels #sweet	WATCH_MORE	https://www.short-tv.net/landing/fbindex.html?id=9	HoneyReels-bd2	https://www.facebook.com/61570868564738/	1,024	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	www.short-tv.net	VIDEO		https://www.short-tv.net/landing/fbindex.html?id=9004&style_id=1&album_id=20888&sex=woman&utm_source=FB&media_app_id=633768522315678&episode_id=71069&align=1&af_adset={{adset.name}}&af_ad={{ad.name}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&auto_seconds=5	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481076457_545629218641134_6098099569907021578_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B2a-oNwN2zMQ7kNvgFY7_cT&_nc_oc=AdjbQVSsanLA3OMkKUuFmRo6SBa7yL65dXB4WJIeG0jAdiX6nmVcJhOQDE7FYgjXw2QigWhYwFcAtuBLpQn--bjT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AduyuvuBqIgF_eqYRwt8uE9&oh=00_AYDPp7w9nI3aCaThW1oHSizcK-u9TxD89YIRWYqO2h14mg&oe=67C72C53	PERSON_PROFILE	HoneyReels-bd2	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,711	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706710}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	$49 Disc Decompression Consultation + Exam + X-Rays!	Hey Highlands Ranch! For the Next Week, we are giving away 50 Vouchers for a Disc Decompression Consultation and Exam, including a Detailed Spine and Nerve System Examination, a Postural Assessment, a Health History Consultation and X-Rays (if needed), along with a Report of Findings, all for just $49 Dollars! (This is normally a $300 dollar value!)⁣ Get one NOW by clicking the link below! Ready to take control and alleviate pain? Click below to sign up and claim a voucher now!⁣	LEARN_MORE	https://www.premierpaingroup.net/optin	Premier Pain Management	https://www.facebook.com/61552914503606/	15	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	premierpaingroup.net	IMAGE	Book an appointment today.	https://www.premierpaingroup.net/optin	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480456636_1312848313252147_7814772317881240428_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QnAvbvcppkIQ7kNvgGj7vor&_nc_oc=Adir4U9IrxlNbjyOZY2NeXVKUuj7BscNlVHkFrSfvSDSS6UMzBEWLLAovVxCeszEp-kL2Uli0J5-9aCJea20oqjb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A3025hpPYtTRqj--B9j8Xfn&oh=00_AYBRIehn-tPCp-oSuj88a170F17MjNs4VdggtpGf7eiuxA&oe=67C71056	PERSON_PROFILE	Premier Pain Management	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,519	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706774}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Back Pain? Feel long-lasting relief after just 1st treatment!	Tired of living with sciatica pain? • Pain when you sit, sleep, work... even spend time with loved ones. Imagine a life without constant ache and sharp shooting pains in your back & legs. We can help! At East Bay Spine & Disc Institute, our Rapid Back Pain Relief Program gets you: ✨ Exam ✨ X-Ray (if needed) ✨ Imaging Review ✨ Report of Findings ✨ Personalized Treatment Recommendations ✨ 1st Laser Treatment (if candidate) All for just $49! Sign Up Today! Serving Livermore Valley and surrounding areas.	SIGN_UP	http://fb.me/	East Bay Spine and Disc Institute	https://www.facebook.com/100085642107282/	166	1969-12-31 18:00	Sign Up	fb.me	DCO	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.9 (15+)	http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481093651_1050660990417410_4911478418693238302_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yp2r6L_-z08Q7kNvgHj1DnQ&_nc_oc=AdgiC7aE_7vKStYJbvVsDwuwLGUTXhSHlQcFRUf8E-ie1Mb5Xm1O8_aHKTR2xHymfBJ-qtnjE3JgTm1mPh7t9KuP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AllrzYwAzg5th12zWCijWE7&oh=00_AYCzMUo4eu7BYs0erOtlJnykZnbcgK6-fp1OBnboxt1vhg&oe=67C7412A	PERSON_PROFILE	East Bay Spine and Disc Institute	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,675	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651		Brand new Tango Mango this morning! All products ship fast from Delaware. https://bloomingboutique.com/collections/february-25-2025-live-show	SHOP_NOW	https://bloomingboutique.com/collections/february-	Blooming Boutique	https://www.facebook.com/shopbloomingboutique/	14,457	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop now	bloomingboutique.com	VIDEO		https://bloomingboutique.com/collections/february-25-2025-live-show	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481809992_1650259568902864_7216541693705382890_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q1ZUJLN_kKgQ7kNvgFtKJpE&_nc_oc=Adi6pTB4sJtjNdkuIINqzMjg8mflqccrrrMpT2lRkitk5XZ1J6uYQzXTV5UMjMRKfFK8j3RJyQVIJksAeFxruhfG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A0UytGj0Wtkx_fbhy_jfucD&oh=00_AYBN56jQJysqE-mdT9V9rT8GsHtfaZ5PgHrvJegKkcgKDg&oe=67C7380F	PERSON_PROFILE	Blooming Boutique	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,254	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707250}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜<The Billionaire's Ex-Wife (Her Ex-Husband's Regret)>📜	Please, baby. Help me change Daddy's heart. I march towards my husband's office on the top floor of Steele Corp Building, carrying a present in my hand. It's our third anniversary and I thought I'd give my husband a surprise. I just came back from the OBGYN. I placed my ultrasound photos inside a small box and wrapped it with a ribbon. "Excuse me, Miss Carlisle. You need an appointment to see the CEO," Tara, my husband's secretary, blocks the entrance to my husband's office. "Or do you want me to call your supervisor?" She raises a haughty brow at me, acting like she's above me. Well, I suppose she is above me. She is the CEO's executive secretary, sitting in the office at the top floor, while I'm just a graphic designer with a cubicle on the third floor. I have been married to Steele Corp's CEO, Kayden Steele, for three years. But sadly, no one in the office knows about it. "Umm..." I force a smile on my face. "Mr. Steele called my extension and personally asked me to bring the present that arrived for him." I motion at the box in my hands. "A present? From whom?" "His wife, maybe," I reply nonchalantly. Tara smirks. "You know he's still single!" See? Not even his secretary has a clue. "Although, I wonder if it's from that woman he asked to be picked up at the airport." "What?" Now, it's my turn to be surprised. "What woman?" Tara raises a skeptical brow at me again. "That information is none of your business," she replies. Then she turns to open the door to Kayden's office. "The graphic artist is here to see you, Sir?" "Let her in," I hear Kayden say. As I walk past Tara, I can't help smiling at her smugly. If she only knew what I'm carrying in my hands right now. This gift, this wonderful news, is going to bring my husband closer to me. This baby will change everything! I close the door behind me, and with wobbly legs and a big smile of anticipation on my face, I walk towards Kayden. He looks up from the papers on his desk as he watches me intensely. I almost lost my nerve as I remembered how devilishly handsome he was, with his midnight black hair, and blue-gray eyes. We've been married for three years, but he still takes my breath away. "Kayden," I call, my voice almost squeaking. "I have... some news for you." "Before you say anything, I have something to say to you, too," he says in a voice laced with ice. When he speaks so coldly to me like that, I wonder if he's the same man who makes hot love to me at night. "Oh, okay. What do you want to tell me?" I ask. He stands up from his seat. I cannot read the expression on his face as he stares back at me in silence. "Kayden, what is it?" He sighs heavily before turning away from me, as if he can't bear to look at me when he says what he needs to say. "You see, when I was young, I vowed to marry someone," he mumbles. "But unfortunately, I couldn't because..." he trails off, heaving another sigh. "But now, she's back in town. And I don't think I can do this anymore, Cassie." Wait, what did he mean by that? He turns around. His eyes look distant, devoid of any emotion. "This is not working out for both of us. I want a divorce." Divorce? The word keeps ringing in my head like a deafening siren. Sure, this marriage was far from perfect. But in the years that I've been married to Kayden, I tried to be the perfect wife. I made sure I gave him no reason to regret ever marrying me. "But... why?" Tears begin to brim my eyes. “Come on, Cassie. Did you really think this marriage was going to last?” he asks. His voice was ice cold, and his face almost stoic. “You know it wasn’t my choice to get married. You drugged me and threatened to expose my indiscretion the same week that I was going to be announced as CEO of Steele Corp! What was I supposed to do? Of course, I had no choice but to marry you!" I shake my head. "No, Kayden! I told you before that I didn't drug you. That night, somebody drugged me, too! I-I was framed. I don't even remember how I got to your room that night! Somebody made it seem like... like I staged it all!" He sighs heavily. I doubt that he heard anything that I just said. Or maybe he did. He just doesn’t care. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I managed to gain control of my father’s company. Your family got whatever it is you wanted to gain out of this marriage. Maybe it’s better we walk away now, while we still can. Before we tear each other apart.” “I gave my life to this marriage, too, Kayden!” I tell him evenly. “I didn’t plan on marrying a stranger as soon as I graduated university! This was against my will, too. I also have dreams I gave up because of this marriage.” “How could I believe you? Your father was too eager to give you away. And his business suddenly boomed, didn’t it? I was desperate to gain control of my father’s company. And you just took advantage of my vulnerable situation.” I can’t believe I’m hearing this. In the three years that we’re married, I can hardly remember when Kayden showed me any affection. He’s always been reserved and indifferent. It wasn’t a perfect marriage, but I never thought he’d ask me for a divorce so soon. My hands tremble. The box I'm carrying drops to the floor. My wonderful news, my little ray of hope, completely forgotten. "Tricking you into marriage is the last thing I would do!” He scoffs. “But that’s exactly what you did, didn’t you? I dreamt of building a family for myself. On my own terms and at the right time. Marrying you felt like I wasn’t given a chance to choose what I wanted for myself.” I shake my head, unable to control the tears that's flowing from my eyes. I realize that no matter what I say or do, Kayden will never believe me. "Is that why no matter how hard I tried to be the perfect wife... even after the many nights we made love, you... you never learned to love me?" Kayden's face remains relentless as he stares back at me. "Love? When you trapped me in this marriage, were you thinking about love at all? Your father bagged his biggest clients at the mere mention of my name, remember? It’s all about money and power. Of course, I could never love you!” I inhale deeply. It's painfully obvious now what the man I had desperately loved for three years thought of me: a gold-digging, scheming bitch! Looking back at that night, I know that somebody had spiked my drink, and somehow, I ended up in Kayden's penthouse. And the morning after, somebody had tipped the paparazzi and made it look like I blackmailed Kayden into marrying me. I know that somebody had set me up. I just don't know who. Kayden inhales deeply. “How could I love anyone who robbed me of my will?” "You're wrong, Kayden," I sob. "It seems that after all these years, you never saw me for who I really am." Kayden shakes his head. "It doesn't matter now. My lawyers are already preparing the divorce papers as we speak. Let's do this as quietly as possible," he says. "Anyway, there are only a few people who knew you were my wife." I nod, feeling numb. "Yes. You did an excellent job keeping me a secret." That was his first request to me: keep quiet about the marriage. Thinking about it now, he must have been planning to divorce me since then. Why did he wait three years to do this? I wipe the tears on my cheeks as I struggle to compose myself. I know that when Kayden makes a decision, there's very little chance that he'll change his mind. "An—anything else you want to say?" "One last thing," he replies. I look up at him, pretty sure that there's nothing he can say that would make me feel any worse than I do at this moment. He takes a deep breath and announces, "I don’t want to see you around the office. You're fired!" .............................................................................. Hold on, baby! Mommy’s here. I will do everything to protect you. This was not how I imagined this day would end. Somehow, when I got the news that I was pregnant, I was so overjoyed that finally, something good came out of my marriage to Kayden Steele. For the first time in three years, I do not feel alone. But suddenly, my life takes a one-eighty. Not only did I lose my husband, but I also lost my job and my health insurance, all in the space of two hours. I can still remember the HR Manager's apologetic smile when I signed my termination papers. "Can... can I at least keep the insurance for another eight months?" I plead. She shakes her head slightly and gives me a sad smile. "It's company policy, sweetheart. Once you're terminated, all benefits, including insurance, will cease." "But... I was fired without a reason!" I argue. "That's why you're getting severance pay," she counters. "And two months’ worth of salary. Otherwise, you walk away with nothing." The severance pay and two months’ worth of salary won't be enough for my food, vitamins, prenatal checkups, and hospital bills when I deliver. I must find a job soon. When I get home, and by home I mean the mansion where Kayden and I live in, Kevin, the fifty-year-old family butler meets me at the main entrance. He, too, cannot hide the pity in his gray eyes. "This is as far as you can go. I've been told to pack all your belongings. They're all in the car now." Kevin whispers softly. "I'm just following instructions." I can almost hear the tears in his voice. "It's okay, Kevin." I raise my chin and paste a smile on my face. That smile that I always wear like a uniform. The armor that hides my real emotions. "You've been so good to me these past three years. I will never forget that." Kevin nods gracefully. Then he holds his arm out for me. "For the last time, Madam Steele. Let me escort you to your car." Holding back my tears, I take his arm and let him escort me to the car that will carry me and what little belongings I have for the next chapter of my life. As the car drives away, a wave of sadness washes over me. I gently place my hand on my abdomen, picturing the life growing inside of me. This baby is Kayden's own flesh and blood. It deserves to live and be raised in that grand mansion. But like me, this little one has been denied Kayden's love and all the privileges that came with it. "I'm so sorry, little angel!" I can no longer hold back my tears. "I'm so sorry!" I don't know what I'm going to do next, or how I'm going to do it. But I know that I will never let this baby suffer. I will make sure that it will live a happy, comfortable life. I will not deny it its birthright! Even though Kayden may not be ready to hear it now, I will make sure to tell him about our baby in the future. He may not have been able to love me. But I'm sure he will love his own baby. Kayden may be cold and ruthless, but I don't think he's a complete monster. There were times during our marriage that I actually felt that he was trying to make it work. Maybe I just wasn't good enough. Or maybe we were just not meant to be. Then suddenly, I remember what he said. ‘You see, when I was young, I vowed to marry someone…’ My heart feels like it's breaking into a million tiny pieces as if it wasn't already completely shattered. What Tara said about Kayden having someone picked up at the airport all makes sense now. I completely understand why after all these years, no matter how hard I tried to be the perfect wife, Kayden just couldn't love me. He's in love with someone else. And he felt that I robbed him of his future with her. He must have been secretly loathing me because he thought I masterminded this marriage. When in truth, I was as much a victim as he is. "Aargh!" Something in my abdomen throbs and I feel a little jolt of pain. Is my baby feeling my heartbreak, too? The driver stops in front of a house in a very familiar neighborhood. It is far from the posh neighborhood where the magnificent Steele Mansion sits, but somehow, this place, this house brings back so many memories of my childhood. Perhaps Kevin made a good decision to send me back here to my parents' home. There was a time when this house used to be a picture of bliss. It is made of wood carvings and sculptures that add to its unique charm. No one has lived here for years, but I come here occasionally. This reminds me so much of my mother. "I'll bring your things inside, Ma'am?" the driver asks. "No, it's alright. You can just leave them by the door." The driver leaves, and I take my keys to open the main door when I realize that it's unlocked. "Huh? Did someone break into this house?" I push the door slightly, careful not to make a sound. When I step inside the house, I find that the lights are turned on. "Shit! Someone's here!" Panic starts to grip me. I know I should call the cops, but somehow, something possesses me, and I grab the dusty golf club sitting behind the door instead. Then I walk towards the corridors, ready to swing at the potential burglar. But suddenly, I hear a familiar voice coming from the living room. "My lawyers told me that this house is still in her name, Kayden. I thought we agreed that this was going to be mine!" I know that voice perfectly well even though I haven't heard it in years. Wait, what? Did I hear it right? Was she talking to Kayden? As in my Kayden? I sneak towards the living room, deliberately trying to overhear her phone conversation. "You're the most powerful man in the country, Kayden Steele! Didn't you promise to make me happy? Well, this house was my parents'. It should also be mine. It will really make me happy!" Mine? How dare she? My father, who is an architect, remodeled this house for my mother before she died. This belonged to my mother even before she got married. So, it's only right that it gets passed on to me! Why is this bitch claiming the house as hers? "Alright, love. I trust you. I'll see you at dinner. Love you!" What the ? Realization hits me like an ice-cold bucket. This is the woman that Kayden asked to be picked up at the airport. She is the reason why Kayden is divorcing me. She's the reason why my baby will not have a complete family. I drop the golf club in my hand as I clutch my belly, feeling a flush of anger and betrayal. The woman must have heard the thud as she turned around to see me. She gives me a proud smirk, not even ashamed that I heard her conversation with my husband. "Well, well. Look who's here," she snickers. "Happy to see me again, my dear stepsister?" .............................................................................. 'Mommy! Cassie pushed me!' 'Mommy! I want Cassie's toy! Take it from her!' 'Daddy! Cassie won't let me borrow her dress!' 'Mommy! Cassie stole my boyfriend!' Unpleasant memories flood my brain. My stepsister's relentless whining while we were growing up still echoes in my ears, even after all these years. My father married Megan's mother when I was eight years old. I tried my best to make Megan feel at home with us, to form a sisterly bond with her, but she never really liked me. She constantly watched me, the things that I had, and the stuff that my father bought for me. I could feel that envy that simmered within her whenever I got a new toy, no matter how small or inexpensive it was. As we grew older, the rivalry only got more complex. We were no longer fighting over toys or material possessions. I felt that we were competing for the same affection and attention. She made sure to steal every guy that I ever dated, making me feel like I was insignificant and undatable. She even made my father dislike me. And now... "Were you... talking to Kayden just now?" I ask in a shaky voice. "Oh, you heard that, huh?" she asks, smirking. "Well, I guess there's no point keeping it a secret now. Yes, I was just talking to Kayden." She holds out her left hand in front of me, showing me a gold ring with a huge rock in the center. "Do you agree that this ring is perfect for the future Mrs. Kayden Steele?" As I stare at the sparkling ring on Megan's finger, my heart sinks. I know she expects me to salivate over how huge the rock is, or how expensive the ring must have been. But the only thought that runs through my mind is, 'She gets a ring?' Because Kayden just signed our marriage license. He didn't bother to get me an engagement ring, not even a wedding ring. "Oh, you poor thing,' Megan puts on a pout that is supposed to be apologetic, but clearly, she is just rubbing her affair with my husband in my face. "Your marriage with Kayden was never going to work out. I knew it." "How... how long have you known my husband?" "Too long. I have always thought we'd end up together. But then you stole him from me like the scheming, sneaky gold digger you are! But he would never love you. The two of us share a bond since we were kids. No amount of scheming or seduction from you could take him away from me.” My blood boils as I hear Megan's tirade. How could she flaunt her affair with my husband and have the audacity to accuse me of stealing Kayden from her? "That's not true!" I cry. "We were building a family! We were doing okay until you came back to the picture. If you didn't, I know he would stay with our little family." "Family?" she hisses. "What family are you talking about?" I don't reply. Instead, I raise a brow at her triumphantly. Her eyes widen in shock, and her glance goes to my tummy. "You're..." She shakes her head in disbelief. "No way that baby is Kayden’s.” This time, I feel a little victorious. It's good to see Megan fall from the high table for a change. "Believe it or not, Megan," I continue to taunt her. "When Kayden decided to marry me, I did believe he was willing to try. He wouldn't do that if he completely hates me, would he?" “So, you managed to seduce him to go to bed with you? He must have been wasted to even sleep with you.” It’s my turn to smirk at her. "What are you scared of Megan? The fact that Kayden isn’t completely immune to my charms? Or that this baby might change everything between us?” Megan takes a step closer, her eyes looking livid. “How will a bastard change anything?” What the did she just call my baby? My blood boils as Megan's words hang in the air. The audacity, the cruelty! I ball my hands into fists as I try my damnedest to stay calm and composed. "This baby is not a bastard! This baby could just well be the heir of Steele Corp. Remember, we're still married. And Kayden has yet to find out about this baby. He just might rethink his decision about divorcing me." Anger flares in Megan’s eyes when she hears my words. I can tell that she realizes just how vulnerable her position is. "You're just like your mother! A shameless, scheming slut!" She raises her hand and swings, but I anticipated that move, as she has always done this to me in the past. I catch her arm before her palm can land on my cheek. "I'm not going to tolerate you calling my baby a bastard, and my mother a slut, Megan! You are way out of line!" I push her arm away, giving her a small shove. Megan stumbles backward, but her eyes remain filled with anger. She groans in frustration and swings her arm to to knock off the gas lamp on the table. Then she grabs the nearest vase and throws it at me. "Bitch!" she screams. Acting on instinct, I dodge the vase but lose my balance. I fall to the floor. Just then, I feel a gush of blood flow from between my thighs. I look down and realize that I'm sitting in my own pool of blood, while my vile stepsister looms over me, smiling triumphantly. "No, no! My baby!" I cry out in agony and pain. Suddenly, everything feels hot. That's when I realize that the fire has quickly escalated. My mother's house is going down in flames. "Oh, God, please no!" I know that Megan will never help me. It will be better for her if I were to lose this baby. I know I must call for help, or I will lose everything—including my and my baby's life. I reach for my cellphone and press the first key on my speed dial. Kayden's phone rings several times but he never picks up. 'Kayden... please!' 'Pick up the phone. Our baby... our baby needs you!' But all I hear is the ringing tone from the other line. Oh, God! I know I haven't been lucky in this life. But please... spare the life of my baby! This baby is all I have now. Please save it! That's all I ask. That's all I need! Kayden, if you can't be there for me, at least be there for our child. But even after another try, there's nothing. Once again, Kayden has chosen to ignore me. Coming back to my senses, I dial 911 instead. "Help! Bleeding... pregnant..." The smell of smoke threatens to choke me. "Fire!" I fall to the floor, almost passing out. When I open my eyes again, I see a devilishly handsome face staring back at me. "Kayden..." I would recognize that face everywhere. Amidst the raging inferno, Kayden miraculously appears and finds me lying on the floor, bleeding. "Jesus Christ, Megan!" he curses. "What happened here?" Kayden approaches me, and for the first time in years, I see a glimmer of worry in his eyes. "Cassie..." He kneels in front of me. But then, we hear a shrill scream and then a thud. We both turn around and discover that Megan has collapsed onto the floor. Kayden's driver appears and he turns to him. "Take Cassie out of here!" Then he walks toward Megan and gathers her in his arms, while his driver lifts me from the floor. The taste of defeat lingers on my tongue as I watch Kayden carry Megan out of the blazing house. I doubt that she's seriously injured. I bet she fainted to get Kayden's attention! Megan seems unscathed, and I can't help but think that she just pretended to faint when she saw Kayden coming to my rescue. Even in spite of my pitiful state, Kayden chose to abandon me. It seems... the three years we spent together really meant nothing to him! Whatever concern I thought I saw in his eyes is all gone now. And in the end, it's all the same. Kayden has chosen Megan over me.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/2duwipeug	Lereader-Excellent Novel	https://www.facebook.com/61550357834620/	675	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/2duwipeugxewf3asl1d0jwzj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120215602453860784&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480957769_1702587643804854_7492004616860354335_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fyIpsTJ6j0AQ7kNvgH3B1AO&_nc_oc=AdhebhgzNH17JQYDsY_61c_YUJyb2QaWgVPBC-e1c6ORwMMGHX5WyUyLSjQyN9zhSn44NCo0WiURchffxM1QUwTG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AyjbXEE3J6IwnrgXBE-aFBT&oh=00_AYCykqxcXUMLMuoQWhdRBCgaZ8PAwv8NL8iiIqnlYBmV5g&oe=67C71BD0	PERSON_PROFILE	Lereader-Excellent Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,827	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706778}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔥 Download Goodnovel to read the full novel 😍👉👉👉👉 "Seducing My Ex's Father In Law"	Today was supposed to be the day my fated mate and I got engaged. But now I’m watching him kiss another woman. Marrying her could make him the future Alpha because she’s the daughter of Gavin Landry, the most powerful Lycan chairman in the world. A couple of months ago, our Alpha died during a battle, and now all the candidates are competing for that position, including my mate, Ethan. Everyone knows the Lycans control the werewolf population. And Gavin? He could singlehandedly appoint everyone the new Alpha. So, Ethan made his choice. Her, not me. “Get me a whiskey and a martini for the lady,” A deep voice sounded from nearby. “Is it the future bride, or the future groom that’s got you in a mood?” “I’m just not into parties,” I decided to say. “Nor am I,” he murmured. “I’m here out of obligation.” The bartender placed my drink in front of me and I immediately took a sip, sighing in contentment. I waited for it to do its job and finish numbing the pain. Every time Ethan kissed her it destroyed me a little more. How had my life taken such a devastating turn? How could my fated mate do this to me? Did our 2 years together truly mean nothing? Did the mark on my neck mean that little to him? “Thank you for the drink,” I told the man. I took one last sip of my martini and started to get down from the stool, except my blouse snagged on the corner of the counter and just as I heard a tearing sound, I began to fall to the ground. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I felt strong arms wrapping around my body, lifting me into the air. I opened my eyes and peeked up at the man who caught me, and my breath hitched. He was so handsome. He held me with ease as if I weighed nothing and I could tell from the feeling of his arms around me that he was muscular. He smiled down at me and a dimple appeared on his right cheek. I wanted to lick that dimple. “Madam, are you falling for me?” He asked teasingly. I stared at him for a heartbeat longer before I squinted my eyes at him, seeing what he did there. “You’re a funny one, aren’t you?” He grinned. Then he looked at my shirt and immediately frowned. “Let me take you to my suite upstairs,” he said, making my heart skip a beat. “What?” I said in barely a whisper. His eyes met mine and I got lost in their beauty for a moment. Goddess, his good looks were sinful. “Your shirt is ripped. I have one you can wear upstairs in my VIP suite,” he explained. I blinked a couple of times and gave a nervous chuckle. “Oh, alright. Thank you,” I managed to sputter. He turned to the bartender. “Charge our drinks to my suite,” he ordered. “Yes, sir.” I allowed the man to carry me out of the room. His arms were so warm that I found myself resting my head against his broad chest, breathing in his minty scent. My wolf was practically purring in my mind. She’d been quiet for most of the evening while she licked the wounds the broken mate bond had caused. But right now, it was as if she had forgotten she was heartbroken. “Take off your shirt,” he instructed once we were in the suite. He had released me and was walking to the closet. “Excuse me?” I squeaked. “So, you can put on a new shirt,” he explained. “Right,” I breathed. I lifted my ripped shirt over my head and threw it onto the bed, leaving me in only my innerwear from the waist up. Once he found a shirt, he turned around to face me, and his entire body froze as his eyes trailed down my body. I was too busy checking him out to notice him staring at me but the longer I stared at him, the more I started to recognize him. Then, realization struck me, and I gasped. “It’s you…” I breathed, taking a step back. His eyes shifted upward and met mine; his brow arched. “You know me?” He asked. “I know of you,” I clarified. The corner of his lips tipped upward as he walked towards me, slowly, as if he were stalking his prey. I could practically hear the sounds of my heartbeat. “And what do you know of me?” “Only what I’ve heard…” I admitted. “And what have you heard?” “You’re Gavin Landry, Lycan Chairman. You’re a heartbreaker. You have a new woman each week and you never sleep with the same woman twice.” He raised his brows. “Is that so?” He asked. “Tell me more about myself.” Heck, he's the father of the bride and Ethan's future father-in-law? I'm confused, I don't know what I should do. But I'm not surprised I didn't recognize him at first. The Lycan family isn't high profile, they're more used to staying behind the scenes than becoming politicians and celebrities like werewolf Alpha. Should I tell him who I am? But that would be foolish at this moment. He continued to walk towards me, and I continued to walk backward until my back hit the wall. “What more do you want to know?” I asked, my voice coming out breathy. “Everything.” I’m not sure if it was the martini speaking or me, but I decided to be bold. If Ethan can indulge himself in someone new, then so could I. I lifted my gaze to meet his as he neared closer. “Your eyes…” I started to say. “I’ve heard that they were mesmerizing, and I must agree.” “What else?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “When you smile, you have this adorable dimple on your cheek…” I whispered. He was only inches from me now, staring so intently at me that I thought I would burn up under his scrutiny. He licked his lips, drawing my attention to his mouth. “And your lips…” Before I could finish that sentence, his mouth crashed into mine. His kiss was anything but soft and sweet but filled with hunger and possession. I kissed him with just as much eagerness. His tongue made its way to mine, tasting every inch of me. He lifted me into the air, my body pinned between the wall and him. Instinctively I wrapped my legs around his waist and allowed him to deepen the kiss. His tongue trailed down the nape of my neck and warmth spread across my body as I felt him nibbling my soft flesh. All self-control and common sense left my mind the moment we kissed. All I could think about was Gavin; he consumed my mind, body, and soul entirely. I pulled at his tie, wanting to take it and his shirt off. He helped me undo his tie and then lifted his shirt over his head, tossing it to the ground. I let my fingers explore his body; they roamed over his torso and up his broad shoulders. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue found mine again. “Are you sure you want this?” He asked between kisses. “Yes,” I rasped out. “We are both willing adults, so why not?” We kissed again and just as he was about to take off my innerwear, I received a tearful mindlink from my adoptive mother. “Judy! Please, come home!” She sounded panicked; my mother never panicked. Hearing her voice was like cold water being dumped on my head and I gasped. I let my legs fall from around him and I pressed against his chest. “Stop,” I said breathlessly. “I have to go.” He frowned. “I don’t have much patience; stop joking,” he says, a hint of anger in his tone. “I’m so sorry. But I’m sure you have plenty of other options,” I said and started to run towards the door, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me. I whirl around to face him, my own anger rushing to the surface but before I can say anything, he points to the bed. “Your shirt is ripped, remember?” I looked down at my innerwear with a frown. “Oh…” He sighed, grabbing his shirt and putting it over my head. I inhaled deeply and warmth spread throughout my body; it smelled like him. …… The moment I stepped into the house; I could hear my mother sobbing. “Judy?” My mother sobbed; I could hear that she was in the kitchen and my heart stuttered at the sound of her broken voice. “Your father was taken away by the Gammas tonight.” Chapter 2 Judy’s POV My heart fell into my stomach. “What?!” I gasped. We lived in a decent-sized house; my adoptive father, being a successful businessman and a Delta of the Redmoon pack, had a lot of money. “He was arrested,” she explained. “He made a bad investment for the company, and he ended up losing all the money. He went completely bankrupt and now he owes the pack so much money. Until he pays it, they put him in jail.” “They can’t just come and take him away like this,” I said, standing to my feet, hardly able to contain my emotions. “Without any warning? That’s not fair!” “They can do whatever they want. The Beta is under the jurisdiction of the Lycans, and it was his decision. Loan sharks are ruthless, and nobody wishes to deal with them. It’s easier to just get rid of the problem and right now… your father is the problem.” Before I could say anything more, my phone started to ring. I reached into my bag and pulled it out. I frowned when I saw the name flash across the screen. “I heard about your father,” Ethan’s voice was soft as he spoke, and my traitorous heart skipped a beat. I hated how my body responded to him still; it was because of this foolish mate bond. Even though he rejected me, and I accepted it, that didn’t mean it severed our bond. It won’t be severed until he marks someone else.“I might have a suggestion though. But I’d like to tell you in person. Come outside.” I quickly left the kitchen and walked out of the house. Ethan was leaning against his car with his arms folded across his chest. Goddess, I hated how good he looked. I had been in love with him for longer than 2 years. He was my friend, my confidant, my fated mate. When he rejected me, it destroyed everything I had dreamt of. I wrapped my arms around my body, desperately trying to hold myself together. “Why are you here?” I asked him after a long and awkward silence. “I wanted to talk to you,” he replied. “Why?” The corner of his lips tipped upwards as he stared at me; I nearly melted under his scrutiny, and I had to shift my gaze to look at the ground. “Because I can help you,” he answered. “Your father’s funding chain is broken, and he now owes a lot of money. I know for a fact that he doesn’t have that kind of money, especially now that his business has gone under. But I do.” I lifted my gaze to meet him; he was serious. “Are you saying you’d pay my father’s debt?” I asked him. He nodded. “Yes,” he answered. “And what would we have to do in return?” I asked, almost afraid to ask. He smirked, which gave me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “There is a condition,” he confessed. I waited silently for him to continue, my eyes never leaving his. “After I get married, I want you to drop out of school and become my mistress.” I couldn’t have heard him correctly; I stared at him with my jaw practically on the ground. “Excuse me?” I managed to sputter. “You want me to what??” “Drop out of school and become my mistress. I already have a luxurious home for you to live in. You would never have to want for anything. I’ll pay off your father’s debt and give you more money than you could dream of.” “How… how could you ask me to do such a thing?” I asked in a choked whisper; tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I kept them away, not wanting him to see my break. He stepped closer to me, and I felt rooted to the ground, unable to move away. My wolf was whimpering about his request; she couldn’t believe our mate could ask such a thing from us. She was gutted and I hated that she was put in this position. “Because we’ve always been so good together, Judy,” he said, reaching out and touching my arm gently. “We will always have this strong connection, even if I mark someone else. You and your family would be set for life… all you have to do is say yes…” He was rubbing his fingers up and down my arms and I felt sick to my stomach. I finally found the strength to step away from him, my body trembling. “No,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I would never become your mistress.” His eyes darkened. “I’m about to become the Alpha, Judy. You must get with the times. Becoming my mistress would only benefit you and plus, don’t you want your father out of jail?” “I will find another way,” I said through my teeth. “If that’s all you came here to say, then I’ve heard enough. You can leave.” He raised his brows as he stared at me. He studied me for a moment longer like he expected me to change his mind at any moment. “You’ll change your mind,” he told me as he stepped away from me and towards his car. “And when you do, I’ll be here. But until then, your father will remain in prison.” “I’ll figure it out,” I said to his retreating back. “We don’t need you, Ethan!” He chuckled as he opened his car door and then he turned back to gaze into my eyes. “In order to get him out of prison, you’ll need at least 5 million dollars. When you realize that there’s no other option, you’ll come to your senses. I’m sure of it.” Without another word, he got into his car. I watched as he drove away, disappearing into the night. It was only when he disappeared that I allowed myself to fall to the ground. Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them. 5 million dollars? How was I going to come up with that kind of money? —————— I had two classes this morning and one later in the afternoon. My first class was warrior training, and my second class was shifting, both of which I excelled at. I was going to college for Gamma training so that once I graduated, I could prove myself to the Gamma force and become a warrior. Then I would easily be able to pay off my father’s debt and save my family. “You look terrible,” my best friend, Nan, pointed out as I sat beside her against the large Oaktree; the very tree we always met up at. “It was a rough night,” I admitted as I took out my textbook to study. “Where did you go last night? When I returned, you were gone. Did you leave early because of the engagement party?” I bit my lower lip as I thought about what to say to her. If I lied, she’d be able to see right through me. I was a terrible liar initially, but Nan could read me like a book. “I ripped my shirt, and someone brought me into his room to change,” I said, feeling my cheeks growing warm at the memory. She raised her brows, and I could barely look at her. “You went to someone’s room?” She asked. “Whose?” I was quiet for a moment, and she grabbed my arm, getting my attention. “Judy, who did you leave with?” She asked, now her voice was filled with alarm. I knew there was no getting out of this conversation. I bit my lip and peeked up at her through my lashes. “Gavin Landry,” I squeaked. Chapter 3 Judy’s POV “Shut up!” She gasped. “Are you serious?? You went to Gavin Landry’s VIP suite? As in THE Gavin Landry?!” I nearly tackled her; she was being so loud! “Keep your voice down!” I scolded, attempting to cover her mouth with my hands but she was too quick and dodged me. “How can I possibly keep it down when my best friend went to Gavin Landry’s hotel room last night and waited until now to tell me!” She exclaimed. Nan was a waitress at the hotel restaurant the engagement party was at last night. The hotel, called Carter Resorts, was in the human territory, and it was owned by Patrick Carter, the Delta of the Silver Crescent pack. Which happened to be Gavin Landry’s pack. I wasn’t surprised to see Gavin there last night, especially considering his daughter was the bride-to-be. I was less surprised to see that he had a VIP suite at the hotel. I sighed. “It all happened so fast, and I had a bit too much to drink,” I admitted. “I forgot when I got home because other stuff happened.” I wrapped my arms around my body and looked up at her concerned eyes. “What else happened?” She asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. I took a deep breath, and I told Nan everything that happened, right up until Ethan came over and asked me to be his mistress in exchange for him paying off my father’s debt. By the time I finished talking, Nan’s jaw had dropped. “The nerve of that scum!” She hissed. “How dare he! He rejected you and now he wants you to be his bit on the side?! He has zero shame.” “I’m not sure what I’m going to do, Nan,” I whispered. “There’s no way I could come up with 5 million dollars to pay off my father’s debt.” We both fell silent as our thoughts consumed us and then her face lit up. I knew that look well and it grew nervous as a smile spread across her face. I knew right away that she had an idea, and I also knew that I wasn’t going to like it. “You said that he gave you his shirt to wear?” She asked. I nodded. She gasped and grabbed my arm. “Isn’t it obvious, Judy? Gavin is into you. That’s the only reason he’d give you his shirt. He wanted his scent on you! He's very picky. In all my time as a waitress, you're the first woman he's ever offered.” I gawked at her. She had officially lost her mind. “Gavin’s not into me,” I said, shaking my head. “He gave me his shirt because mine ripped. There was nothing to it.” “Why would he even care?” Nan asked, folding her arms across her chest. “He’s Gavin Landry and doesn’t need to care about any of this. Besides, you mentioned that he kissed you heatedly. You were ready to go all the way with him, which is huge because you were planning on waiting until after you were married. There had to be some kind of connection last night.” I glanced at my hands. “Or maybe I was just hurting and wanted to get back at Ethan,” I murmured. “Plus, I had a little too much to drink.” “Drunk actions are sober thoughts or something like that,” she said, waving away my words. Then, she smirked. “You could use this to your advantage. Do you still have that lingerie you bought for your wedding night? You should pay Gavin a little visit and make him an offer he can’t refuse.” ___ I knew it was a bad idea the moment she spoke the words, but her words continued to replay in my mind for the remainder of the day and night. When I woke up the next morning, my mind was made up. I went to my closet and grabbed my red lingerie. I had only tried it on once and I felt a little self-conscious wearing it, but I knew the night of my wedding when I finally gave myself over to Ethan fully, it wouldn’t matter what I was wearing. My heart ached at the thought, and I quickly brushed it out of my head before I started to cry again. I dressed in the lingerie, and I grabbed a long trench coat, wrapping it around my body. I left my hair down and I put on a little makeup to make my features pop. For the last day or so, my mother had either been speaking on the phone to lawyers, visiting my father in prison, or in her room. I had barely seen or spoken to her since I told her Ethan wasn’t going to help us. I hated knowing I disappointed her, but hopefully, this would fix all our problems. It was no secret where Gavin’s office was; everybody knew the famous Gavin Landry Corporation. When I walked through the front door, the receptionist was typing on her computer. She barely spared me a look as I approached the desk. “Good morning, I’m here to see Gavin Landry,” I said as politely as I could. The receptionist looked upward at me and blinked a couple of times, looking less than amused. “Do you have an appointment?” “Uh, no, but—” “Look, I don’t have time for this. Countless women come in here and request to speak with Gavin and I’m going to tell you what I tell them. Mr. Landry is incredibly busy, and he doesn’t have time or patience to be dealing with another fan girl,” she said bitterly. “And what gives you the right to turn away those who come to see me?” A deep voice boomed. Chapter 4 Judy’s POV “Mr. Landry,” the receptionist said, quickly standing to her feet. She suddenly seemed disheveled, and I wanted to smirk with satisfaction, but I kept it held in. “I asked you a question, Laura,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. “What gives you the right to send away guests? You know the protocol. You are to call my office, and I am the one who decides whether or not I will see them or not. Not you.” She swallowed and glanced at the ground as if staring directly at him physically hurt her. “Come with me.” It took me a second to realize he was speaking to me, but when I saw the receptionist glaring at me and Gavin’s retreating back, I nearly stumbled over my feet to catch up to him. He walked through a luxurious waiting room until we reached a glass elevator. It was very high-tech with a touch screen attached to it. He brought up a keypad and typed in some sequence before pressing the floor number. He stood so close to me that the elevator felt almost cramped, despite it being a wide space. I could smell his incredible minty scent, mixed in with his aftershave and my heart skipped a beat. He didn’t bother looking at me though and I was starting to doubt this plan would work. Maybe he didn’t like me as much as I thought he did. I felt awkward knowing that under this coat was nothing but lingerie. The elevator came to a halt and the doors opened. It was an extremely large space with marble flooring and granite walls. “Where exactly is your office?” I asked, staring around the gorgeous area. He glanced at me; his face kept indifferent. “This is my office.” My eyes grew large at his words. He continued walking until he rounded the corner and sure enough, there was his desk right in front of large windows that overlooked the human city. It was gorgeous and my stomach twisted with nerves. He didn’t bother sitting on his desk chair. Instead, he turned to face me, leaning against his desk and folding his arms across his chest. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I took him in. He wore a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up halfway, showing off his incredible muscles and his dark dress pants hugged his waist perfectly, showcasing his incredible form. My wolf purred with satisfaction, and I found myself staring at him for way longer than I intended to. He cleared his throat, making me nearly jump out of my skin as my gaze shot upward and met his. He was smirking at me, as if to say, “Caught you.” My cheeks burned from the embarrassment I felt. “So, what did you come here for?” He asked, breaking the tension between us. Oh. Right. The reason I’m here. “I have a problem, and I need your help,” I said in a rush. He raised his right brow. “What kind of problem?” I cleared my throat before continuing. “My father was arrested the other night,” I blurted. “His business went bankrupt, and he owes a lot of money. Roughly 5 million dollars.” He was silent as he stared at me; I realized he was waiting for me to continue. Probably wanted to know how I needed his help. “I was hoping you’d be able to help him and maybe pay the debt for my father so he could get out of prison?” I asked, biting my lip. He was quiet for another moment, processing my request before he ran his hands over his face. “And what would I get in return for helping your family?” He asked. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Confidence: I needed confidence. I held my head up high and looked him right in the eyes. It was known as a challenge to look an Alpha directly in the eyes, even worse so looking a Lycan directly in the eyes. But Gavin wasn’t as angry as I thought he would be, instead, he looked intrigued. “Well,” I began, I dropped my voice low as I stepped closer to him. “At the party the other day, we obviously had a connection…” I felt my cheeks growing hot as I spoke those words. “And I thought maybe…” I took a deep breath and undid my coat, revealing a portion of my lingerie, but not all of it. Not yet at least. His eyes darkened as he gazed over my body, and I nearly melted under his scrutiny. I suddenly had a surge of confidence, and I reached my hand out to touch his arm. “I thought maybe I could do some favors for you in return,” I said in a sultry voice. “I’m a college student and very clean. I haven’t done it before, but I’m on birth control, so you don’t need to worry about anything.” His breathing grew heavy as he straightened his posture, closing the small gap between us. His nearness was intoxicating, and my heart started to race against my chest. His scent enveloped me, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this delirious. He reached his hand up and I felt his fingers glide down my cheek, sending a wave of warmth throughout my whole body. We were so close together that I thought I was going to pass out from the heat that consumed me. His eyes were dark like they were the night in the VIP suite. He swallowed hard and I watched his Adam’s apple move slightly. I closed my eyes, preparing for him to kiss me. I could feel his breath on my lips and just as I leaned in close to him, getting ready for his embrace, it never came. Instead, I felt him adjusting my coat, covering my body. My eyes flew open, and I looked at his stern expression. “Do you really think I need to pay a woman for her body?” He asked, breaking the silence. “You said it yourself that I have many options.” My cheeks flushed immediately. “I just thought—” “You thought you could use your body to pay for my help,” he said, interrupting me. “You are still young, Miss Montague. You will regret taking such shortcuts in the future.” How did he know my name? I hadn’t told him. Had he looked into me? My heart skipped a beat at the thought, but his words were slowly crushing me. He didn’t want me. I lowered my gaze, hating how hot my face was getting. I knew he could see just how embarrassed I was. When he spoke next, he softened his voice and spoke with compassion. “Look, I have a daughter,” he told me. “I would never teach her to use her body as a transaction. I want more for her and her future, and I expect better from her.” He reached his hand and caressed the nape of my neck with his fingertips; my breath hitched as I gazed into his eyes. “I expected better from you,” he added; my heart fell into my stomach and disappointment consumed me. He was right. I was better than this. I nodded my head and opened my mouth to speak, but I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see a couple of security guards standing nearby and I whipped around to look at Gavin with wide eyes. “I’m afraid my time is up, and my patience has run out,” Gavin said, looking at me briefly before glancing at the security guards. “Accompany Miss Montague out of the building, please.” “Yes sir,” they both said. They stood on each side of me, and I stared at Gavin with shock. I didn’t fight or argue with the security guards as they told me to come with them. “Thank you for your time,” I managed to say before I turned and left the office. I wanted to cry because of the shame, but I knew more importantly I needed a new job. …. “I’m so excited we get to work together,” Nan said with a wide smile. “And you look great in that uniform.” I looked down at my uniform. I felt ridiculous in this thing; it was a short skirt and a crop top that showed way too much bosom. I felt like I was on display. Especially at night when this place pretty much turned into a club. These men are wealthy and would tip generously. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up when I was struggling for money. “That’s what friends are for,” she said, nudging my arm with hers. She looked behind me and sighed. “Looks like we are getting a group of guys. Good luck,” she said. I sighed and turned to greet the customers but then I froze when I saw who was amongst them. Ethan. Chapter 5 Judy’s POV “You were right,” I heard one of his friends saying. “She does work here. This is going to be so good.” “Hey, call girl, can we get a table, or are you just going to stare at us?” Call girl? I placed the menus on the table for them and waited for each of them to take a seat. “I’m not a call girl. Please, take your seat.” As I leaned over the table to put the beer in front of each of them, one of them grabbed my rear end. I felt my entire body freeze. “I like this little uniform on you. How about you take it off and see what’s underneath.” My entire body went hot as I stepped back from the table, forcing his hand to drop. “Do not touch me,” I said loudly to each of them. “Oh, come on, Judy. Aren’t you here to satisfy men?” Another of his friends asked. “So come here and satisfy us. Sit on my lap.” I pressed my lips together. “I’m not a call girl,” I told them for the final time. “I’m a waitress.” “You got this job because you’re hot,” one of them chuckled. “The manager didn’t care about your skills. He cared about whether or not you could flirt with the customers and make him a lot of money. I’m willing to give you a good tip if you let me see what’s underneath your uniform and sit on my lap.” I felt my blood going cold from his words. “Come here baby girl,” he said, patting his lap and winking at me. I just stared at him, disbelieving. I looked at Ethan who was watching me, waiting to see what I would do. How could he just let his friends speak to me like this? At one point, he would have never allowed this. He would have punched anyone who looked at me with desire in their eyes. Now, he was acting as if he didn’t care. “I’ll give you 10 thousand dollars if you drink this entire beer,” one of his friends asked. My mouth nearly fell open. “What?” I asked. “You heard me,” he answered. “Drink this whole beer and you’ll get 10 thousand dollars.” “We’ll all give you 10 thousand dollars each if you drink all of our beers,” another one said. I stared at the beer and then at the men. My eyes landed on Ethan once more; he raised his brows, waiting for my answer. Swallowing my pride, I stepped towards the table and grabbed one of the glasses. I really didn’t like beer, but money was money, and I knew Ethan’s friends were rich and could pay that kind of money easily. I needed the cash to get my father out of prison and pay off his debt. I brought the cup to my lips and let the liquid run down my throat. I winced at the bitter taste, but I kept pushing myself until the cup was empty. His friends were cheering and chanting as I drank the contents of the cup. I slammed the cup on the counter and looked at the next guy who slid his beer at me, winking as he did so. I chugged his beer as well. I only got halfway through the third glass when I felt a firm grip around my wrist and I was yanked away. I heard Ethan’s friends booing and telling him he was a party pooper. I had no idea where Ethan was taking me; he was quiet until we reached outside and then he whipped around to glare at me. “Accept my offer and stop this foolishness,” he ordered. “I won’t be your mistress, Ethan,” I told him, narrowing my eyes, my head fuzzy from the beer. “You can forget about that.” “You’d rather act like a little call girl instead?” He asked through his teeth. “You looked ridiculous in there!” “Why do you care? You have your fiancé. This is my private business, and my private business no longer includes you.” “You are still mine, Judy. You will always be mine,” he growled. I wanted to laugh at his ridiculousness, but I also wanted to cry. He was so sweet at one point; I spent more than 2 years loving this man. Now as he stood before me, I realized he was a stranger. “I am not yours,” I told him, glad that my voice came out stronger than I felt. He let out a bitter laugh. “Fine, be a call girl for all I care,” he growled. “Spread your legs for money because that’s all you’re good for—” Before I could stop myself, my hand swung and made contact with his cheek, causing a loud slap. He didn’t flinch but he did grow angrier as he went to grab my throat. He froze though when he looked at my neck and I watched the color draining from his face. “What the heck,” he hissed. He grabbed my chin and yanked my head to the side. “Is that a lovebite?” I realized when getting dressed this morning that the lovebite Gavin left on me the other night was still there. It was fading, but visible. “So, what if it is?” I asked. He released my chin and glared at me, his gaze icy. “Who the heck have you been with?” “That’s not your concern,” I retorted. I turned to walk away, but he gripped my arm, making me whimper in pain as he whipped me around to face him again. “Answer my freaking question, Judy! Who have you been with?!” Through gritted teeth, I answered, “Gavin. Your future father-in-law. Happy now?” He released me and let out a bark of laughter. “Are you kidding me? You don’t have to make up such a ridiculous story,” Ethan said through a fit of laughter. I heard more laughter from nearby and I realized Ethan’s friends were crowding around. “Is she talking about Gavin Landry? He has standards. He would never go for a girl like, Judy.” “Yeah, Judy is a call girl and Gavin is a Lycan chairman. There’s no way,” another friend laughed. “I’m being serious,” I told them, folding my arms across my chest. This time Ethan did grab my throat, and his gaze turned almost deadly. “Stop playing me for a fool and tell me the truth,” he growled. “Gavin would never want someone like you. You are nobody. You don’t fit into his world. ” I couldn’t breathe as his hands tightened around my throat, so I couldn’t respond. “Now, how about you do as I say and move into the house I bought? Once I get married, I’ll see you frequently at night and you can spread your pretty little legs for me only—” There was a loud honk from nearby, making Ethan drop his hold around my neck. I coughed and rubbed my sore neck as he glared at the person interrupting us. I glanced at the black limo and frowned when the door opened. I gasped when I saw Gavin seated in the back, his eyes on me. “Get in,” he ordered. I stared at him, disbelieving. “I won’t ask you again, Judy,” he said through his teeth. I felt Ethan’s shocked eyes on me as I quickly hurried towards the car and got in, closing the door behind me. “Drive,” he instructed the driver. “Yes, sir.” The car started to move; Ethan stood on the curb; his mouth nearly dropped. His friends were equally shocked. Gavin glanced at me, and I felt my cheeks redden. “Using me to make your ex-fiancé jealous, are you?”	LEARN_MORE	https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&u	Enjoying reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559698863477/	310	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	getokn.com	VIDEO		https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481179641_2292279894475296_8843874880925077158_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rws7iGadgGMQ7kNvgEAta3n&_nc_oc=AdhIcmNgHwXo8GrOWbQb1kM9knA8B4Oqmoocbb5wmwtyizkzcL2F5qm0AwI80Hdb_JzthLj1S3Y-yNhRopkVYWRr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AY2iNOEeoBFCVckcfBVMoQW&oh=00_AYB8ND9t-aLldtAGAl0gBvO7oagStYAAIN0uYPhPuUuL4g&oe=67C71A1A	PERSON_PROFILE	Enjoying reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,385	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707376}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜The Billionaire's Ex-Wife (Her Ex-Husband's Regret)📜	💖🔞💋Please, baby. Help me change Daddy's heart. I march towards my husband's office on the top floor of Steele Corp Building, carrying a present in my hand. It's our third anniversary and I thought I'd give my husband a surprise. I just came back from the OBGYN. I placed my ultrasound photos inside a small box and wrapped it with a ribbon. "Excuse me, Miss Carlisle. You need an appointment to see the CEO," Tara, my husband's secretary, blocks the entrance to my husband's office. "Or do you want me to call your supervisor?" She raises a haughty brow at me, acting like she's above me. Well, I suppose she is above me. She is the CEO's executive secretary, sitting in the office at the top floor, while I'm just a graphic designer with a cubicle on the third floor. I have been married to Steele Corp's CEO, Kayden Steele, for three years. But sadly, no one in the office knows about it. "Umm..." I force a smile on my face. "Mr. Steele called my extension and personally asked me to bring the present that arrived for him." I motion at the box in my hands. "A present? From whom?" "His wife, maybe," I reply nonchalantly. Tara smirks. "You know he's still single!" See? Not even his secretary has a clue. "Although, I wonder if it's from that woman he asked to be picked up at the airport." "What?" Now, it's my turn to be surprised. "What woman?" Tara raises a skeptical brow at me again. "That information is none of your business," she replies. Then she turns to open the door to Kayden's office. "The graphic artist is here to see you, Sir?" "Let her in," I hear Kayden say. As I walk past Tara, I can't help smiling at her smugly. If she only knew what I'm carrying in my hands right now. This gift, this wonderful news, is going to bring my husband closer to me. This baby will change everything! I close the door behind me, and with wobbly legs and a big smile of anticipation on my face, I walk towards Kayden. He looks up from the papers on his desk as he watches me intensely. I almost lost my nerve as I remembered how devilishly handsome he was, with his midnight black hair, and blue-gray eyes. We've been married for three years, but he still takes my breath away. "Kayden," I call, my voice almost squeaking. "I have... some news for you." "Before you say anything, I have something to say to you, too," he says in a voice laced with ice. When he speaks so coldly to me like that, I wonder if he's the same man who makes hot love to me at night. "Oh, okay. What do you want to tell me?" I ask. He stands up from his seat. I cannot read the expression on his face as he stares back at me in silence. "Kayden, what is it?" He sighs heavily before turning away from me, as if he can't bear to look at me when he says what he needs to say. "You see, when I was young, I vowed to marry someone," he mumbles. "But unfortunately, I couldn't because..." he trails off, heaving another sigh. "But now, she's back in town. And I don't think I can do this anymore, Cassie." Wait, what did he mean by that? He turns around. His eyes look distant, devoid of any emotion. "This is not working out for both of us. I want a divorce." Divorce? The word keeps ringing in my head like a deafening siren. Sure, this marriage was far from perfect. But in the years that I've been married to Kayden, I tried to be the perfect wife. I made sure I gave him no reason to regret ever marrying me. "But... why?" Tears begin to brim my eyes. “Come on, Cassie. Did you really think this marriage was going to last?” he asks. His voice was ice cold, and his face almost stoic. “You know it wasn’t my choice to get married. You drugged me and threatened to expose my indiscretion the same week that I was going to be announced as CEO of Steele Corp! What was I supposed to do? Of course, I had no choice but to marry you!" I shake my head. "No, Kayden! I told you before that I didn't drug you. That night, somebody drugged me, too! I-I was framed. I don't even remember how I got to your room that night! Somebody made it seem like... like I staged it all!" He sighs heavily. I doubt that he heard anything that I just said. Or maybe he did. He just doesn’t care. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I managed to gain control of my father’s company. Your family got whatever it is you wanted to gain out of this marriage. Maybe it’s better we walk away now, while we still can. Before we tear each other apart.” “I gave my life to this marriage, too, Kayden!” I tell him evenly. “I didn’t plan on marrying a stranger as soon as I graduated university! This was against my will, too. I also have dreams I gave up because of this marriage.” “How could I believe you? Your father was too eager to give you away. And his business suddenly boomed, didn’t it? I was desperate to gain control of my father’s company. And you just took advantage of my vulnerable situation.” I can’t believe I’m hearing this. In the three years that we’re married, I can hardly remember when Kayden showed me any affection. He’s always been reserved and indifferent. It wasn’t a perfect marriage, but I never thought he’d ask me for a divorce so soon. My hands tremble. The box I'm carrying drops to the floor. My wonderful news, my little ray of hope, completely forgotten. "Tricking you into marriage is the last thing I would do!” He scoffs. “But that’s exactly what you did, didn’t you? I dreamt of building a family for myself. On my own terms and at the right time. Marrying you felt like I wasn’t given a chance to choose what I wanted for myself.” I shake my head, unable to control the tears that's flowing from my eyes. I realize that no matter what I say or do, Kayden will never believe me. "Is that why no matter how hard I tried to be the perfect wife... even after the many nights we made love, you... you never learned to love me?" Kayden's face remains relentless as he stares back at me. "Love? When you trapped me in this marriage, were you thinking about love at all? Your father bagged his biggest clients at the mere mention of my name, remember? It’s all about money and power. Of course, I could never love you!” I inhale deeply. It's painfully obvious now what the man I had desperately loved for three years thought of me: a gold-digging, scheming bitch! Looking back at that night, I know that somebody had spiked my drink, and somehow, I ended up in Kayden's penthouse. And the morning after, somebody had tipped the paparazzi and made it look like I blackmailed Kayden into marrying me. I know that somebody had set me up. I just don't know who. Kayden inhales deeply. “How could I love anyone who robbed me of my will?” "You're wrong, Kayden," I sob. "It seems that after all these years, you never saw me for who I really am." Kayden shakes his head. "It doesn't matter now. My lawyers are already preparing the divorce papers as we speak. Let's do this as quietly as possible," he says. "Anyway, there are only a few people who knew you were my wife." I nod, feeling numb. "Yes. You did an excellent job keeping me a secret." That was his first request to me: keep quiet about the marriage. Thinking about it now, he must have been planning to divorce me since then. Why did he wait three years to do this? I wipe the tears on my cheeks as I struggle to compose myself. I know that when Kayden makes a decision, there's very little chance that he'll change his mind. "An—anything else you want to say?" "One last thing," he replies. I look up at him, pretty sure that there's nothing he can say that would make me feel any worse than I do at this moment. He takes a deep breath and announces, "I don’t want to see you around the office. You're fired!" .............................................................................. Hold on, baby! Mommy’s here. I will do everything to protect you. This was not how I imagined this day would end. Somehow, when I got the news that I was pregnant, I was so overjoyed that finally, something good came out of my marriage to Kayden Steele. For the first time in three years, I do not feel alone. But suddenly, my life takes a one-eighty. Not only did I lose my husband, but I also lost my job and my health insurance, all in the space of two hours. I can still remember the HR Manager's apologetic smile when I signed my termination papers. "Can... can I at least keep the insurance for another eight months?" I plead. She shakes her head slightly and gives me a sad smile. "It's company policy, sweetheart. Once you're terminated, all benefits, including insurance, will cease." "But... I was fired without a reason!" I argue. "That's why you're getting severance pay," she counters. "And two months’ worth of salary. Otherwise, you walk away with nothing." The severance pay and two months’ worth of salary won't be enough for my food, vitamins, prenatal checkups, and hospital bills when I deliver. I must find a job soon. When I get home, and by home I mean the mansion where Kayden and I live in, Kevin, the fifty-year-old family butler meets me at the main entrance. He, too, cannot hide the pity in his gray eyes. "This is as far as you can go. I've been told to pack all your belongings. They're all in the car now." Kevin whispers softly. "I'm just following instructions." I can almost hear the tears in his voice. "It's okay, Kevin." I raise my chin and paste a smile on my face. That smile that I always wear like a uniform. The armor that hides my real emotions. "You've been so good to me these past three years. I will never forget that." Kevin nods gracefully. Then he holds his arm out for me. "For the last time, Madam Steele. Let me escort you to your car." Holding back my tears, I take his arm and let him escort me to the car that will carry me and what little belongings I have for the next chapter of my life. As the car drives away, a wave of sadness washes over me. I gently place my hand on my abdomen, picturing the life growing inside of me. This baby is Kayden's own flesh and blood. It deserves to live and be raised in that grand mansion. But like me, this little one has been denied Kayden's love and all the privileges that came with it. "I'm so sorry, little angel!" I can no longer hold back my tears. "I'm so sorry!" I don't know what I'm going to do next, or how I'm going to do it. But I know that I will never let this baby suffer. I will make sure that it will live a happy, comfortable life. I will not deny it its birthright! Even though Kayden may not be ready to hear it now, I will make sure to tell him about our baby in the future. He may not have been able to love me. But I'm sure he will love his own baby. Kayden may be cold and ruthless, but I don't think he's a complete monster. There were times during our marriage that I actually felt that he was trying to make it work. Maybe I just wasn't good enough. Or maybe we were just not meant to be. Then suddenly, I remember what he said. ‘You see, when I was young, I vowed to marry someone…’ My heart feels like it's breaking into a million tiny pieces as if it wasn't already completely shattered. What Tara said about Kayden having someone picked up at the airport all makes sense now. I completely understand why after all these years, no matter how hard I tried to be the perfect wife, Kayden just couldn't love me. He's in love with someone else. And he felt that I robbed him of his future with her. He must have been secretly loathing me because he thought I masterminded this marriage. When in truth, I was as much a victim as he is. "Aargh!" Something in my abdomen throbs and I feel a little jolt of pain. Is my baby feeling my heartbreak, too? The driver stops in front of a house in a very familiar neighborhood. It is far from the posh neighborhood where the magnificent Steele Mansion sits, but somehow, this place, this house brings back so many memories of my childhood. Perhaps Kevin made a good decision to send me back here to my parents' home. There was a time when this house used to be a picture of bliss. It is made of wood carvings and sculptures that add to its unique charm. No one has lived here for years, but I come here occasionally. This reminds me so much of my mother. "I'll bring your things inside, Ma'am?" the driver asks. "No, it's alright. You can just leave them by the door." The driver leaves, and I take my keys to open the main door when I realize that it's unlocked. "Huh? Did someone break into this house?" I push the door slightly, careful not to make a sound. When I step inside the house, I find that the lights are turned on. "Shit! Someone's here!" Panic starts to grip me. I know I should call the cops, but somehow, something possesses me, and I grab the dusty golf club sitting behind the door instead. Then I walk towards the corridors, ready to swing at the potential burglar. But suddenly, I hear a familiar voice coming from the living room. "My lawyers told me that this house is still in her name, Kayden. I thought we agreed that this was going to be mine!" I know that voice perfectly well even though I haven't heard it in years. Wait, what? Did I hear it right? Was she talking to Kayden? As in my Kayden? I sneak towards the living room, deliberately trying to overhear her phone conversation. "You're the most powerful man in the country, Kayden Steele! Didn't you promise to make me happy? Well, this house was my parents'. It should also be mine. It will really make me happy!" Mine? How dare she? My father, who is an architect, remodeled this house for my mother before she died. This belonged to my mother even before she got married. So, it's only right that it gets passed on to me! Why is this bitch claiming the house as hers? "Alright, love. I trust you. I'll see you at dinner. Love you!" What the ? Realization hits me like an ice-cold bucket. This is the woman that Kayden asked to be picked up at the airport. She is the reason why Kayden is divorcing me. She's the reason why my baby will not have a complete family. I drop the golf club in my hand as I clutch my belly, feeling a flush of anger and betrayal. The woman must have heard the thud as she turned around to see me. She gives me a proud smirk, not even ashamed that I heard her conversation with my husband. "Well, well. Look who's here," she snickers. "Happy to see me again, my dear stepsister?" .............................................................................. 'Mommy! Cassie pushed me!' 'Mommy! I want Cassie's toy! Take it from her!' 'Daddy! Cassie won't let me borrow her dress!' 'Mommy! Cassie stole my boyfriend!' Unpleasant memories flood my brain. My stepsister's relentless whining while we were growing up still echoes in my ears, even after all these years. My father married Megan's mother when I was eight years old. I tried my best to make Megan feel at home with us, to form a sisterly bond with her, but she never really liked me. She constantly watched me, the things that I had, and the stuff that my father bought for me. I could feel that envy that simmered within her whenever I got a new toy, no matter how small or inexpensive it was. As we grew older, the rivalry only got more complex. We were no longer fighting over toys or material possessions. I felt that we were competing for the same affection and attention. She made sure to steal every guy that I ever dated, making me feel like I was insignificant and undatable. She even made my father dislike me. And now... "Were you... talking to Kayden just now?" I ask in a shaky voice. "Oh, you heard that, huh?" she asks, smirking. "Well, I guess there's no point keeping it a secret now. Yes, I was just talking to Kayden." She holds out her left hand in front of me, showing me a gold ring with a huge rock in the center. "Do you agree that this ring is perfect for the future Mrs. Kayden Steele?" As I stare at the sparkling ring on Megan's finger, my heart sinks. I know she expects me to salivate over how huge the rock is, or how expensive the ring must have been. But the only thought that runs through my mind is, 'She gets a ring?' Because Kayden just signed our marriage license. He didn't bother to get me an engagement ring, not even a wedding ring. "Oh, you poor thing,' Megan puts on a pout that is supposed to be apologetic, but clearly, she is just rubbing her affair with my husband in my face. "Your marriage with Kayden was never going to work out. I knew it." "How... how long have you known my husband?" "Too long. I have always thought we'd end up together. But then you stole him from me like the scheming, sneaky gold digger you are! But he would never love you. The two of us share a bond since we were kids. No amount of scheming or seduction from you could take him away from me.” My blood boils as I hear Megan's tirade. How could she flaunt her affair with my husband and have the audacity to accuse me of stealing Kayden from her? "That's not true!" I cry. "We were building a family! We were doing okay until you came back to the picture. If you didn't, I know he would stay with our little family." "Family?" she hisses. "What family are you talking about?" I don't reply. Instead, I raise a brow at her triumphantly. Her eyes widen in shock, and her glance goes to my tummy. "You're..." She shakes her head in disbelief. "No way that baby is Kayden’s.” This time, I feel a little victorious. It's good to see Megan fall from the high table for a change. "Believe it or not, Megan," I continue to taunt her. "When Kayden decided to marry me, I did believe he was willing to try. He wouldn't do that if he completely hates me, would he?" “So, you managed to seduce him to go to bed with you? He must have been wasted to even sleep with you.” It’s my turn to smirk at her. "What are you scared of Megan? The fact that Kayden isn’t completely immune to my charms? Or that this baby might change everything between us?” Megan takes a step closer, her eyes looking livid. “How will a bastard change anything?” What the did she just call my baby? My blood boils as Megan's words hang in the air. The audacity, the cruelty! I ball my hands into fists as I try my damnedest to stay calm and composed. "This baby is not a bastard! This baby could just well be the heir of Steele Corp. Remember, we're still married. And Kayden has yet to find out about this baby. He just might rethink his decision about divorcing me." Anger flares in Megan’s eyes when she hears my words. I can tell that she realizes just how vulnerable her position is. "You're just like your mother! A shameless, scheming slut!" She raises her hand and swings, but I anticipated that move, as she has always done this to me in the past. I catch her arm before her palm can land on my cheek. "I'm not going to tolerate you calling my baby a bastard, and my mother a slut, Megan! You are way out of line!" I push her arm away, giving her a small shove. Megan stumbles backward, but her eyes remain filled with anger. She groans in frustration and swings her arm to to knock off the gas lamp on the table. Then she grabs the nearest vase and throws it at me. "Bitch!" she screams. Acting on instinct, I dodge the vase but lose my balance. I fall to the floor. Just then, I feel a gush of blood flow from between my thighs. I look down and realize that I'm sitting in my own pool of blood, while my vile stepsister looms over me, smiling triumphantly. "No, no! My baby!" I cry out in agony and pain. Suddenly, everything feels hot. That's when I realize that the fire has quickly escalated. My mother's house is going down in flames. "Oh, God, please no!" I know that Megan will never help me. It will be better for her if I were to lose this baby. I know I must call for help, or I will lose everything—including my and my baby's life. I reach for my cellphone and press the first key on my speed dial. Kayden's phone rings several times but he never picks up. 'Kayden... please!' 'Pick up the phone. Our baby... our baby needs you!' But all I hear is the ringing tone from the other line. Oh, God! I know I haven't been lucky in this life. But please... spare the life of my baby! This baby is all I have now. Please save it! That's all I ask. That's all I need! Kayden, if you can't be there for me, at least be there for our child. But even after another try, there's nothing. Once again, Kayden has chosen to ignore me. Coming back to my senses, I dial 911 instead. "Help! Bleeding... pregnant..." The smell of smoke threatens to choke me. "Fire!" I fall to the floor, almost passing out. When I open my eyes again, I see a devilishly handsome face staring back at me. "Kayden..." I would recognize that face everywhere. Amidst the raging inferno, Kayden miraculously appears and finds me lying on the floor, bleeding. "Jesus Christ, Megan!" he curses. "What happened here?" Kayden approaches me, and for the first time in years, I see a glimmer of worry in his eyes. "Cassie..." He kneels in front of me. But then, we hear a shrill scream and then a thud. We both turn around and discover that Megan has collapsed onto the floor. Kayden's driver appears and he turns to him. "Take Cassie out of here!" Then he walks toward Megan and gathers her in his arms, while his driver lifts me from the floor. The taste of defeat lingers on my tongue as I watch Kayden carry Megan out of the blazing house. I doubt that she's seriously injured. I bet she fainted to get Kayden's attention! Megan seems unscathed, and I can't help but think that she just pretended to faint when she saw Kayden coming to my rescue. Even in spite of my pitiful state, Kayden chose to abandon me. It seems... the three years we spent together really meant nothing to him! Whatever concern I thought I saw in his eyes is all gone now. And in the end, it's all the same. Kayden has chosen Megan over me. .............................................................................. Wake up! You must get back on your feet and keep walking, and then you need to move on! I bolt up from the bed, my heart races as the urgency in the voice echoes inside my mind. I look around the unfamiliar surroundings, feeling confused and disoriented. Where am I? The room I'm in is all white. From the paint on the walls to the sheet that keeps me warm. "Easy, child. You might hurl if you force your movements," the nurse says to me. "How long have I been unconscious?" "Two days. But don’t worry, you’ll be fine.” Suddenly, I remember something. "My baby!" I ask frantically. "Tell me my baby is okay!" Tears brim my eyes, as panic grips my insides. The nurse reaches out for my hands to steady me. "Don't worry, dear," she smiles at me reassuringly. "The babe is safe." I sigh in relief. I touch my abdomen with my hands as if cradling my baby. I'm so sorry, my love. I should have been more careful. I swear I will never risk your life like that again! I guess I forgot how cruel and childish Megan can be. I should not have told her about the baby. But where is Megan? I remember she fainted and Kayden saved her. I sink back on the bed as I remember the way Kayden carried Megan in his arms, saving her from danger, while I, his wife, was bleeding on the floor. I can't help but feel a mix of anger and betrayal as I recall that moment. The realization hits me hard, shattering whatever illusion I may have that Kayden would learn to love me. "There was… there was a woman with me. What happened to her?" I dare ask. "The last time I saw her, she was unconscious." Or pretending to be unconscious! The nurse shakes her head. "She was just brought into the emergency room, and then she was discharged. She didn't sustain any injury." "Did anyone come here to check on me?" I ask, my voice both tearful and hopeful. I could not have mistaken the sliver of concern I saw in Kayden's face when he saw me in my pitiful state. But it quickly disappeared when Megan put on one of her best acting performances. "You mean your husband?” I nod. “I haven’t seen him around. But I bet he’s preoccupied with dealing with the media about this whole fiasco.” "Media?" I echo. The nurse smiles as she straightens the sheet on my bed. "Well, you and the baby need plenty of rest. It's best not to bother yourself with such trivial things," she replies. “Rest now. Just press the call button if you need me.” The nurse closes the door behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The two of us share a special bond… How long have she and Kayden known each other? When did they start an affair when Kayden's drowning in work here, and Megan is busy working as a model in Paris? Damn it! I should not bother with such useless things. The entertainment news is on when I turn on the TV. "It seems that business tycoon, Kayden Steele, is officially off the market." The news anchor's voice echoes through the room, and my heart skips a beat. Images of Kayden flash across the screen. "Rumors have been circulating the past few days that the elusive CEO of Kayden Corp is secretly married. However, today, his PR team confirmed that there's no truth to this. Instead, they confirmed that he is dating model, Megan Brown. It is reported that the two have been good friends since they were kids, and their relationship has recently evolved into something more romantic." My heart breaks as I watch the videos of Kayden and Megan together. Sightings of Kayden holding Megan's hand and kissing her feel like a knife stabbing me multiple times in my chest. How could Kayden do this to me? How could he easily announce his relationship with Megan, when he's kept me a secret for three years? He discarded me the moment Megan came back to town. When he saw me bleeding, he still chose to rescue Megan, and left me for his driver to save! Tears roll down my cheeks, and the moment I realize it, I quickly wipe them away. you, Kayden Steele! You do not deserve these tears! I will not shed a tear for him. I'm pregnant with his child, but this baby will remain my own! Kayden will have no right to know about it. His child will never call him 'Daddy'! Perhaps, that will be the most suitable punishment for a monster like him! With shaking hands, I reach for my phone and send Kayden a message. 'You had a good thing going on, but you chose to give it away. You don't deserve me. Let's get a divorce! Goodbye, Kayden.’ I click send without even rereading my message, not trusting myself completely that I will have enough courage to send it. I gently caress my tummy. It's okay, baby. We're going to be just fine. *** Kayden. '...Goodbye, Kayden.' Those words ring in my head like a nightmare. I can't shake off the feeling of dread that has been eating me up inside since I saw her lying in a pool of blood. I still remember the way she looked at me—hopeful and pleading. She looked at me like I was some sort of guardian angel created to keep her safe. Damn it! I should have saved her. But Megan screamed and fainted. And like a force of habit, I went to her instead. Megan and I shared a past, and because of that, I’d always thought she’d be the one I would spend the rest of my life with. Until Cassie came and life threw me a curveball. I take my coat off and lay it on the bed. Then I realize that the bed covers are purple. I look around. I remember coming to this room whenever I was feeling too much pressure from work, or my family. I don't know why, but somehow, this room feels warm and peaceful. Funny how I only realize this now. This was Cassie's room. And now that she's gone, I didn't expect it to be as cold as all the other rooms in this house. Somehow, somebody got wind of our marriage. The gossip almost went out of hand. The PR Team told me how bad it would look if people found out that I've been married to one of my employees for three years, and I kept it from the public, leaving her to be treated like a lowly employee. That's why they suggested that I announce dating Megan immediately, to divert the issue and prevent damage to Steele Corps' reputation. It seems like the right thing to do. But... why doesn't it feel right? Why do I feel guilty for every little thing I did and said to Cassie? I stare at her number on my phone. I close my eyes and press the call button. I don't know what to say to her. I just know that suddenly, I want to hear her voice again. But she doesn't answer until finally, she turns off her phone. I groan in frustration, throwing my phone on the bed. I know this is for the better. Finally, she's gone... she's out of my life. But ! Why do I suddenly feel so empty? .............................................................................. Cassie. "Cassie, your grandfather’s lawyer, Attorney Magnus, has been calling you since morning,” Lyn, my assistant, says. “I’m still not interested.” A few days ago, I had the shock of my life when I discovered that my mother’s family is old rich. They own King's Court, a chain of luxury hotels. And my grandfather named me his successor to handle the business. “I doubt there’s room in my portfolio for managing a chain of hotels, don’t you agree?” Lyn raises a brow at me for a moment. “You’re one of the smartest women I know. You probably got your father’s talent for designing. But your knack for closing lucrative business deals? Maybe you got that from your late grandfather. I heard he was brilliant." Four years ago, I discovered my passion for interior design. With my relentless efforts to give my son a better life, I built Cassandra Designs, which is now one of the biggest interior design firms in the country. “I heard King’s Court is in trouble,” I remember one of the many articles I read the night I learned about my grandfather. “Your grandfather had been sick for a while. No one was good enough to continue his life’s work. But it's only right that you take over his company, and later, pass it on to your son." A smile tugs at my lips as I remember my three-year-old son. Jet black hair and piercing blue eyes. He’s a spitting image of… “By the way,” Lyn interrupts my thoughts. “Attorney Magnus seems to be aware of your son’s condition.” "What do you mean?" "He'll use whatever he can to convince you to do this." "Ha! What could they possibly have that I want?" Lyn looks at me meaningfully. "We're talking about your mother's family here. Blood-related family. Who knows? Maybe one of them just might be your son's perfect bone marrow match." "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Lyn nods. "We're running out of options. Unless you want to go to your son's fa..." "No!" I cut her off. "There must be another way. Kai's father doesn't even know about him!" "Then I suggest you meet with your grandfather's attorney." As soon as I step into my office, the smell of flowers fills my senses. I find baskets of roses of different colors around the room. My eyes catch sight of the man standing near the glass walls and gazing at the city view. "Do you really have to be overly sentimental, Mr. Sullivan?" I ask. Ethan Sullivan used to be my next-door neighbor. He sought me out when he heard the news of my old house catching fire. I could hardly believe that from a scrawny little boy who wears thick glasses, he turned into this tall, charming man, who built one of the country's biggest financial institutions. He turns around, his gray eyes dancing. "Happy birthday, Cassandra." "You really shouldn't have gone berserk at the flower shop," I tease. "Well, Cassandra Carlisle deserves only the best, doesn't she?" "Please, have a seat." I lead him towards my desk. "Can I offer you anything?" "No, thank you," he replies. "I won't stay long. I'm running late for a board meeting." "Then why did you come? You should have just called. We can always meet later." "But I want to greet you in person. And for you, Cassandra, I'd make the whole world wait." I look away from him, a blush starts to creep over my cheeks. For the past year, Ethan has made it known that his feelings for me are more than friendly. But he's been very patient and understanding. "Ethan," I say. "You've been a wonderful friend and support system to me and Kai." He narrows his eyes, looking at me intently. "But you know I could be so much more than that, right?" "Ethan, you know I care about you, too. But I've been through a lot. And Kai's health is my priority." He reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. "I know that, Cassandra. And trust me, I would never ask you to put anything before your son." I squeeze his hand back. Ethan has always been there for me and Kai. I know he deserves more than just friendship from me. I smile at him. "Ethan, I..." Then suddenly, Lyn bursts into the room, with a look of urgency on her face. "Sorry, Cassandra. But..." she trails off. "Attorney Magnus is here to see you." I groan. "He's really persistent, isn't he?" "Want me to take care of it?" Ethan asks. I shake my head. "I'll manage. I guess, we can just talk later." Ethan looks disappointed. I guess he felt that I was going to finally give him the answer he'd been waiting for before we were interrupted. "Okay. I'll see you at dinner later," he said in a sober voice. 'Was I really going to say yes to Ethan just now?' I ask myself as I watch Ethan leave. 'Am I over the past? And am I ready for this?' Lyn comes back into my office followed by an older man. "Miss Carlisle," Attorney Magnus says. "I am sorry to barge in on you like this. But desperate times call for desperate measures." "I thought I made myself clear, Attorney Magnus. I'm not interested in my grandfather's business." Attorney Magnus takes out an envelope from his suitcase and puts it in front of me. I open it and see photos of people I do not know. Most of them are old, some are even handicapped. "Who are these people?" "These are the people who worked with your grandfather in building his hotel empire," Attorney Magnus replies. "So?" "Right now, they stand to lose their jobs, their benefits, their means of living. All because you refuse to take what your grandfather has given to you." "What?" "No one is leading the company right now, and the other shareholders are selling their shares to another company for a takeover." "But isn't a takeover a good thing? You gain what you can and cut your losses?" "King's Court is still a lucrative venture. The company that will take over knows this. But it will be a complete takeover, meaning the very people who helped your grandfather build it will be let go for a small amount of compensation. That includes all the other members of your family... including your grandmother." "My grandmother?" I echo. I have no idea I have another living grandparent. Attorney Magnus puts a photo of an old woman who looks like my mother in front of me. "Your grandfather's dying wish is for King Court to remain in your family. He regretted his decision to send your mother away, and it drove a wedge between him and your grandmother. Your grandmother has depression. She never took it well that your mother had been sent away." Listening to his story, I feel my eyes start to get wet. "If the CEO of the company that wants to buy the hotel manages to convince the major shareholders to sell their shares, then your family will lose King's Court. Your grandmother will lose everything. These people," he motions at the photos in front of you. "It's like you just handed them a death sentence." "Are you trying to make me feel guilty?" "I know about your child's condition," Attorney Magnus says gently. "You have cousins, nieces, and nephews from your mother's side of the family. None of them is interested or capable of running the business. But... perhaps one of them could be your son's match." Damn it! "Do you really think I'm capable of saving my grandfather's legacy?" "Your grandfather watched your success over the years. He believes in you. And so do I." I feel like I don’t have a choice. Besides, what have I got to lose? "Okay, I will give it a shot." Attorney Magnus gives me a triumphant smile. "I'll guide you through this, don't worry." "What do I need to do first?" "Attend the investor's meeting on Friday," he replies. "Announce that you have accepted the position. The CEO of the company that's buying us out will be there, too. Tell him that if he wants to invest, he's welcome to do so. But they can't take over your grandfather's business." "Where is this meeting?" "In South Carolina." I suddenly stop short. South Carolina was my old hometown. "And... what's the name of the company that wants to take over King's Court?" I ask nervously. "Steele Corp," Attorney Magnus replies. "You need to meet with its CEO, Kayden Steele." .............................................................................. "You're not backing out, are you?" I can hear the weary in Lyn's voice when I told her what Attorney Magnus had asked me to do. "Attorney Magnus drives a hard bargain. He did assure me that my family is willing to help my son, should one of them be a match. But... South Carolina is the one place I tried hard to stay away from!" "But, Cassie, we have been searching for years," Lyn heaves a frustrated breath. "I suggested going to your relatives because I know you don't want to see or talk to your ass of an ex-husband. But it turns out, you'll have to go to him anyway!" "I know. Life's a bitch, right?" I have gone a long way from the last time I've seen Kayden Steele. I've built a pretty good life for myself and my son. Back then, I vowed never to see or think of him ever again. And I certainly didn't plan to do business with him! "You..." Lyn trails off. My eyebrow shot up at her. She squirms as if the question she's about to ask is physically hurting her. "You don't still have feelings... for... him, right?" "Ha!" is all I can utter for a moment. My mind wanders to that devilishly handsome man, with midnight black hair and dazzling blue eyes, who is a replica of my son. I don't love him anymore! I close my eyes for a moment and call in my last memory of him: him carrying my bitchy stepsister out of the blazing house that she burned. And with that memory in mind, I raise my chin to Lyn and say, "When I was Mrs. Kayden Steele, I was a sweet, innocent, gentle pushover. I had nothing to my name, and I would do anything to please my father." I slightly slam my fist on my desk. "I am no longer that woman! And the only feelings I have for Kayden Steele right now, are feelings of loathing!" "If you don't want to ask Kayden for help with Kai, you have other relatives who probably are a match, too. This just gives us plenty of alternatives." "I didn't say yes to Attorney Magnus yet." "There's an inaugural event that you should go to two days from now. It would be a good opportunity for you to meet important people in the city. You should go to that. Give Kayden Steele the shock of his life." Lyn's suggestion is quite tempting. But in all honesty, I don't even need my grandfather's company. I am happy with my peace now. Why do I need shake up my life and see the person who broke my heart years ago? Just then, Lyn's phone rings. "Yes... what?!" The tone of her voice sends me on high alert. "We'll be right there!" I stare back at Lyn in panic. That tone, and that look on her face can only mean thing... Kai is having another episode. "Let's go to the ER!" "Is he okay?" I ask, my voice shaking. "I'm sure he will be. He had a nosebleed and then he fainted." I quickly grab my bag and half run towards the door in legs that can barely support my weight. This is not the first time this has happened. And I know that after a blood transfusion, Kai will be okay. But that's the other problem. His blood type is one of the rarest. We're running out of places to get it. As my driver speeds to the hospital, I try to calm my raging nerves. Please, god! Let him be okay! I won't ask for anything else, just save my son! Lyn and I rush into the emergency room, panic visible in both our faces. My heart pounds inside my ribcage as I desperately search for my son's doctor. Finally, I spot Doctor Willis, Kai's hematologist, standing near the nurse's station. "Doctor! What happened to my son?" "Miss Carlisle, Kai has another episode of severe anemia," she responds. "I'm ordering blood transfusion right away. We're just waiting for the blood supply." "Is he going to be alright?" I ask, my voice shaky. "As long as he receives the blood he needs, he'll be fine." But that's always the problem. Kai's blood type is extremely rare. I feel a surge of panic as the reality sinks in. If we can't find a suitable blood donor soon, my son's life will hang by a thread. I glance over at Lyn, her eyes filled with worry. "Doctor Willis," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Is there anything we can do? Any alternative options?" She sighs. I can hear the frustration in it. "We've exhausted all our resources in the area. The blood bank is running low on Kai's blood type, and it takes time to locate a suitable match." Time. That's a luxury I don't have. If Kai doesn't receive the transfusion soon, I might lose him. Then everything that I worked hard for in the last four years would have been for nothing. "Perhaps we can help," a familiar voice says behind me. I spin around and I see Attorney Magnus standing here beside a guy, who looks like he just got out of college. "How?" "This is Alberte King," Attorney Magnus replies, referring to the guy beside him. "He's your nephew." "Nephew?" "Yep," the guy replies. "And like your son, I'm an AB negative, too." Relief washes over me like a cold bucket. I forget about my own ego, my own doubts and apprehensions. Right now, I'll accept any help, even if it's tagged with the almost impossible favor that Attorney Magnus is asking from me. "Good," Doctor Willis says. "Come with me, young man." As we wait for Alberte, I sit beside Attorney Magnus in the waiting area. "I know why you brought him here," I tell him. He looks at me nonchalantly. "No, you don't know. Because we just genuinely want to help you. Whether you fly to South Carolina to meet with your son's father is entirely your decision to make." Right! "And I'm done!" Alberte announces as he reappears in the waiting area. "We're initiating your son's blood transfusion right away, Miss Carlisle. He'll be out of danger soon." "Thank you, Doctor." Alberte extends his hand to me. "It's nice to meet you, Aunt Cassie." Despite having donated a huge amount of blood, Alberte's attitude is still positively jolly. "Just call me Cassie, you brat!" I say, breathing in a sigh of relief. Instead of taking his hand, I reach forward to give him a hug. I am happy to meet a new relative, and one that has the same blood type as my son no less! "Nice to meet you, too, Alberte! And thank you!" An hour later, I set beside my son's bed, watching him sleep peacefully. I study his face and cannot help but remember his father. I enclose his tiny hand between my palms and bring it to my lips for a kiss. "Mommy..." My eyes fly open when I hear his voice. "Kai, my baby..." He smiles at me weakly. "Where's my Daddy?" What did he just ask me? I blink back at him in utter surprise. "Do... do I even have a Daddy?" He's only three! Who taught him to ask these kinds of questions? I clear my throat and giggle nervously. "Well... you know how truly special you are?" "Uh-huh?" "Well... you're very special because God created you to be only for me!" Then I tickle him, and I am rewarded by his high-pitched laugh. Damn it! Pretty soon, I will no longer get away with these answers! I reached forward and give my son a tight embrace. my ego. my fears. I will do anything to save my son. And I realize now what I really have to do. It's time to see my ex-husband once again.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/vbb2055wg	OasisFun	https://www.facebook.com/100091233910499/	528	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/vbb2055wgvd1wbyhqadl53nf?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120219105343300400&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480874574_1337212717310746_5774372407258669144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xQDXMjZGJK0Q7kNvgEfYH9D&_nc_oc=AdgjfufOFjzWCdl-tuUAL8k9f5y3ZperLy0LnZD1Rg15EF5w9VhITrpIBngZE0_teB_tIb16VWO318JHuxqx4o5p&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A2UC_PL8ThUgA0FArcXJ6I5&oh=00_AYC6UHiA_mP7bRA6TW09Ksy8mkTaQA9S9TZBa6GIcknEDg&oe=67C72A97	PERSON_PROFILE	OasisFun	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,721	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651		Many of you wanted to know what supplements I take post-double-lung transplant, so here is the bulk of them 😊 Occasionally, I will add in or subtract a few. I decided to bring out a few alter egos and have a little extra fun making this one 🤩 Sidenote… These are supplements I take, but please don’t forget to check with your team to ensure that they are safe for you, should you choose to add any into your life🙂#lungtransplant #doublelungtransplant #pulmonaryhypertension #supplements #supplementsthatwork	VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/chloetemtchine	Chloe Temtchine	https://www.facebook.com/chloetemtchine/	35,093	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram profile	instagram.com	VIDEO		http://instagram.com/chloetemtchine	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481203461_2854361858079964_7985986683393236363_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GuEZE0JDEp0Q7kNvgF29-pv&_nc_oc=AdglSkQyzd0aYeOFUpxCQ4XpMoJ03DRD_xXQaNCD8Iy-HU12JP-JnfC-IokzDwS3Cf5Ac_x3QXqwER_xAGRIOe8D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A3025hpPYtTRqj--B9j8Xfn&oh=00_AYDq7-_e0tHOthoQzGDxSZCijuzM2ktkPEOuWGZ-ykTJ_g&oe=67C73F10	PERSON_PROFILE	Chloe Temtchine	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,640	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706607}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Find Out if You Qualify	💡 Take a short quiz to see if this advanced treatment could relieve your chronic back and leg pain. Results may vary. Important safety & risk information: www.NervoHFX.com/safety.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.nevrohfx.com/#patient-assessment	Nevro HFX Chronic Back and Leg Pain Relief	https://www.facebook.com/NevroHFX/	20,282	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	nevrohfx.com	DCO	Relieve Your Chronic Back and Leg Pain	https://www.nevrohfx.com/#patient-assessment	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481241208_2637087329976654_944240172744441750_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RNqo_SoHabUQ7kNvgFSZwre&_nc_oc=Adiov5xv5BtdkJxyT0tn4mDYF4OqPQrvacY-4uI8E3rZdRbPtafB_VFl2x0S9nt8F-nJhbztJ0k9-VF1TAtRLea7&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AyKPS1ktT2bCMQ-Bm6mGYHJ&oh=00_AYBo0GS_TP5V-ISGOAg2JomGwk5blASmKz4vqtYmNYvhSw&oe=67C72916	PERSON_PROFILE	Nevro HFX Chronic Back and Leg Pain Relief	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,362	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	😍Click to continue reading	I never thought I’d see him again. As I step off the bus, the scorching sun beats down on me. The heat here is unbearable, with not even the slightest breeze to offer relief. I already miss the places I've come to call home over the years. Grabbing my suitcase from the driver—who’s been eyeing me with a mix of disinterest and impatience—I flash him a polite smile, take my bag, and turn away without another glance. The bus station is smaller than I remember. I push through the crowd, scanning the faces around me, searching for my aunt. I’ve moved around more times than I can count—first with my mother, and then, after she passed away, with my aunt, who took me in along with her mate and daughter. Constantly relocating wasn’t a choice; it was a necessity. Someone was always after me. My aunt was insistent that I return to this town, though I still don’t understand why. This place holds nothing but bad memories for me—especially since he is here. I refuse to say his name. He abandoned my mother and me when I was just ten years old. I watched her heart break a little more each day, while he never once looked back. He was too caught up in his pack, too in love with his own life to remember the daughter he left behind. So why did my aunt want me back here? She and my cousin Eleanor have settled in this place, but I made it clear—I would only return if it was a matter of life and death. And now, I’m back, trapped in a town that will no doubt become my personal hell. “Sierra, OVER HERE!” I hear her before I see her. Turning to my left, I spot my aunt waving frantically, bouncing on her toes to get my attention. I force a smile and start making my way toward her. As I walk, my senses sharpen. I can feel the weight of several eyes on me, curious and assessing. This town is a werewolf town. There are humans here, but my aunt told me they’re aware of the supernatural. Two packs live on the outskirts of town, sitting on opposite ends. One of them is his pack. And from what I’ve heard, they roam freely here. This is going to be interesting—a panther shifter living in the middle of werewolf territory. “Auntie,” I greet her with a smile, stepping closer. She groans at the word, her expression shifting immediately. “Sierra, you know I hate being called that.” I chuckle. “Sorry, Raven.” I pull her into a hug, feeling some of the tension ease from my body. “How was the trip?” she asks, taking my bag from me as we head toward the exit. “It was fine. First a plane ride, then a twelve-hour bus ride. There were a few stops along the way, so I got to stretch my legs. But I didn’t mind—I’m used to it. I also made sure no one was following me,” I add, glancing over my shoulder. That’s when I notice the bus driver handing off his keys to another driver. Both of them are staring right at me. I sigh. “If one more person keeps staring, I swear I’ll rip their throats out,” Aria growls in my mind. She’s my panther counterpart—always on edge, always ready for a fight. My mother was a panther shifter, just like me, just like Raven and Eleanor. “Why is everyone staring at me?” I mutter, uneasy. Aria steps forward in my mind, scanning the area through my eyes. Raven smirks. “Well, it’s not every day a stunning twenty-year-old woman rolls into town.” I snort. “Yeah, right. There must be plenty of girls here. But you know what I mean.” I catch two elderly women watching me. The moment I meet their eyes, they quickly look away—but one of them seems to be mind-linking someone. “I bet she’s telling her Alpha that someone new is here,” Aria muses, stretching lazily before retreating to the back of my mind. Raven studies me, lowering her voice. “Be careful when Aria comes forward. Your eyes shift color slightly.” I nod. “We’ll talk more in the car.” We exit the bus station and head toward the parking lot, Raven leading the way to her small Toyota. Just as we approach, a black Mustang screeches to a stop right in front of her car. Raven groans. “One Alpha too many,” she mutters under her breath. “Be nice, Sierra.” The driver steps out first, his gaze flicking to me before he opens the rear door. Two young men climb out, looking to be around my age. Then it hits me. A familiar scent—one I haven’t smelled in years. I stiffen as a low growl escapes me before I can stop it. I know that scent. He’s not my father. But he smells just like him. Which means... He must be his son. Chapter 2 Sierra I have a brother—or at least, someone who seems to be my age. "You must be Raven’s niece, Sierra. My name is Dane. I’m the Beta of the Dark Valley Pack, and this here is Caleb, our Gamma. We wanted to introduce ourselves," Dane said. I stared at him, unimpressed. His Alpha was either too busy or just didn’t care enough to find out who I was. "Yeah, that’s me. Now, can you move your car so we can leave?" I said through clenched teeth. Raven looked like she wanted to slap me but managed to restrain herself. "Sierra," she warned. "My apologies, we didn’t realize this was your car," Dane said, clearly lying. Raven had been living here for months, and they had to know. "Cruz, could you move the car to a parking spot, please?" The driver, Cruz, nodded, got back into the car, and drove it into a space on the opposite side of Raven’s vehicle. "Better?" Dane asked with a smug smile. "Yeah, I guess," I said with a hint of irritation. "Raven, can we go now? I’ve been awake for over twenty-four hours, and I’m exhausted." I let out a fake yawn for emphasis. Raven smirked, knowing full well I was just trying to get out of this conversation. "Of course, Sierra. Beta, Gamma, was there anything else you needed?" she asked while placing my bag in the back seat and loading my suitcase into the trunk. Both men looked at me, and I noticed Caleb seemed to be mind-linking someone. "He’s linking the Alpha," Aria, my wolf, murmured from the back of my mind. She had been watching everything unfold through my eyes, clearly amused. After a few seconds, Dane turned back to us, his expression unreadable. "No, nothing else. Oh, actually—one thing. We’ll be stopping by the café later to pick up the cakes we ordered for the ceremony." "No problem. They’ll be ready by the time you come to collect them. I hope the new Alpha has a great welcome-home party," Raven said. "Oh, he will," Dane replied with a cocky grin. I shuddered, my thoughts immediately going to all the crude things he could be implying. But then he caught me off guard. "You two should come," he said. Raven glanced at them before shaking her head. "I don’t think so. Sierra needs to rest after her long journey," she said. I knew exactly why she was acting this way, and my blood boiled. I knew who would be at that party. "Well, the invitation stands," Dane said. Caleb looked at me carefully. "You should come to the packhouse—" "I don’t think so," I cut him off before he could finish. "You both know my father is part of your pack. I will not—no, I will never—step foot in your packhouse. So why don’t you two go do whatever it is you need to do before I throw up all over those nice shoes of yours?" I snapped. I turned to open the car door but hesitated for a second, looking back at Caleb. "Oh, and do me a favor—say hi to my father. I doubt he’ll show his face anytime soon, especially since it’s been ten years since he last saw me. So enjoy your little party, but don’t ever come near me again." Without another word, I climbed into the car and slammed the door shut. "Stupid wolves," I muttered under my breath. I sat there, waiting for Raven to get in. Glancing through the window, I saw the three of them standing there, speechless from my outburst. I hated that man. I never wanted to see the person who abandoned me. "I apologize for Sierra," Raven said as she walked to the car, opening the driver’s side door. Dane had recovered from my outburst and gave me a smug smile. "I hope she changes her mind. We don’t want any trouble," he said. Without another word, the three of them turned and walked off. Raven and I watched them go. "Stupid wolves," I muttered again. "Sierra, you need to be careful with what you say," Raven warned as she started the engine. We pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road, driving in silence for a while. Finally, I broke it. "Raven, why did you want me here?" Chapter 3 Sierra "Raven, why did you want me here?" She sighed. "Because I wanted to see you. You’re my niece." I studied her face. I believed her, but I also knew there was more to it. "And?" I pressed. She was quiet for a moment. "Your father came into the café a few weeks ago when I first moved here. One of his pack members told him I was in town. He wanted to know how you were… and if you were coming back to live here," she admitted, stealing a glance at me. "He wants to get to know you, Sierra." I laughed dryly. "Yeah, sure. He hasn’t cared for ten years. Why now?" She shrugged. "I don’t know. I understand why you hate him for what he did to your mother and for abandoning you. I hate him too. But when I told him you’d never want to see him again… he seemed genuinely hurt." I didn’t respond. I knew Raven would let me make my own choice about this, but as far as I was concerned, that man was dead to me. "Sierra, you don’t know the full story of why he left," she said softly. I turned to her, my expression blank. The problem with that? I did know why he left. And I knew exactly what had made him do it. Either Raven didn’t know, or she believed whatever lies he had told her. Trying to change the subject, I asked, "Who’s the new Alpha? Why are they throwing a welcome-home party for him?" She hesitated before answering. "His name is Damon. He’s the Alpha’s son. He’s been away for the past few months, training with neighboring packs," she said. "Before he left, he came into the café every day. You’ll probably see him around soon enough." I didn’t want to see anyone—especially not an Alpha. I let the conversation drop and turned to stare out the window. The town was surrounded by dense forest, but the houses were built close together. After a few minutes, Raven pulled into the driveway of a small terraced house. It looked normal enough. The houses were near the forest, making it easy for wolves to shift and run freely. "We need to shift soon. It’s been too long," Aria murmured in my head. As I stepped out of the car, I suddenly felt like someone was watching me. "Aria, do you sense anyone?" I asked, keeping my back straight. "I don’t know, but I don’t like it here," she admitted. "Something feels… off." I agreed. There was something unsettling about this place. Raven must have felt it too because she glanced behind me, her expression unreadable. "Let’s get you inside. I need to head to the café to close up," she said, grabbing my arm and leading me toward the house. Once inside, I glanced around. The living room and kitchen were open-plan, and a staircase led upstairs. Raven hesitated before locking the front door. "Everything okay?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "Yeah… Let me show you to your room. You can shower and rest while I head to the café," she said quickly. She led me upstairs, showing me my room—which had its own bathroom. "I had this installed last week, knowing you’d be visiting. Now that you’re staying, it’ll be useful," she said with a smile. I nodded. The room was small but cozy—a far cry from sleeping on the ground or in trees. "I got everything you might need. If you need anything else, we can go shopping tomorrow. Also, do you want to work some shifts at the café?" she asked. "Yeah, sure," I said, just as my stomach growled. She chuckled. "I’ll make you some sandwiches. You should eat, then sleep." I yawned. "Thanks, Raven." As she left, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. I was too exhausted to dwell on it. Within minutes of my head hitting the pillow, sleep pulled me under. Chapter 4 Raven I can’t believe Sierra is back. I’ve missed her so much these past two years. She wanted to travel, and who could blame her? After everything she’s been through in the last decade, she deserved it. I knew the lavender and sage in her room would knock her and Aria out cold. I needed her to rest, but more than that, I needed her to be safe. He’s been outside, lurking in the shadows, watching her return home. I step outside and lock the door behind me. I know he’s still there, watching, waiting. He wants to see her. But she hates him—loathes him—for abandoning her and for what he did to her mother. As I walk down the driveway, I spot him standing to my right. “She looks just like Eden,” he murmurs. I shoot him a cold, hard glare. No matter that he’s Sierra’s father—what he did was unforgivable. I don’t like him either, not after everything he put my sister through. “You shouldn’t be here. She doesn’t want to see you,” I say flatly. “By the way, she met your son. He wanted to come to the party tonight, but she shut that down real quick.” My voice drips with venom. “I heard she takes after Eden—same fire in her spirit,” he says. I bare my teeth at him. “Stop saying my sister’s name. You lost the right to speak it a long time ago.” I push past him, my blood boiling. He looks wounded. “Raven, please… you know what happened,” he says, guilt thick in his voice. “I didn’t have a choice.” I whirl around, facing him head-on, my panther stirring beneath my skin, itching to tear him apart. “You have some goddamn nerve saying that. I wouldn't be surprised if Sierra knows more about what really happened than you think,” I snap. “And listen to me carefully—you need to stay away from her. She despises you. As for your so-called son, she doesn’t know him or that daughter of yours. So if I were you, I’d keep them far away from her.” He stares down at me, expression unreadable. “Raven, please... I just want to know my daughter.” I sneer, his name like poison on my tongue. “Kieran, back the hell off. I’m warning you. You, your mate, your children, and that old Alpha you chose over your own flesh and blood—stay the hell away from her. You have no idea what she’s been through.” I realize too late that I’ve said too much. His brow furrows. “What do you mean? What has she been through?” His shock is evident, though he quickly masks it. Shit. That’s not my story to tell. I turn on my heel and keep walking. The café is just around the corner from my place. “Raven, tell me, please,” he calls after me, still following. I push open the café door. It’s closing time—we’re shutting early for the ceremony. Eleanor stands behind the counter, a warm smile on her face when she sees me, but the moment she spots Kieran, her expression hardens. She hates him too. “Raven,” he says, stepping inside, “you can’t keep this from me. She’s my daughter.” I’ve had enough of this bastard. He hasn’t given a damn about Sierra for ten years. The only reason I’m even living here again is because I have to be. I spin around to face him, my patience gone. “Listen up, you worthless piece of shit. You were never in her life. I don’t owe you a damn thing. You never came back for her—not once—even after all the messages I sent you. You are not, and will never be, her father,” I hiss. “I had to raise her and Eleanor on my own, you jackass, with no help from you. You want to know Sierra? Then come here and talk to her yourself. Or better yet, wait until she actually wants to talk to you—which, let me tell you, will be never.” I can feel the shame radiating off him, but before I can lay into him further, the door swings open. His son, Dane, walks in with the new Alpha, Damon. Both of them take in the scene, Dane immediately sensing the tension. “Dad, what are you doing here?” he asks, glancing between me and Kieran. Kieran straightens, his jaw tightening. “Raven, what’s going on?” Damon asks, his tone authoritative. I roll my eyes. Stupid wolves. “She was just telling this asshole to get lost and never come back,” Eleanor chimes in, stepping up beside me. A low growl rumbles from Damon’s chest. “Show some respect, cat, or I’ll put you down myself,” he grits out. Eleanor lets out a soft growl of her own. “You may be the Alpha, and I may be part of this pack, but you don’t get to tell my mother what to do—especially when it doesn’t concern you,” she snaps. I don’t want her getting into trouble, but I hold Damon’s gaze. “I’m asking Kieran to leave. Now isn’t the time for this,” I say firmly. Kieran and Dane stand on opposite sides of Damon, but I have one last thing to say. “Here are the cakes for the ceremony. Take them and go,” I grind out. “And Alpha, if you ever speak to my daughter like that again, you’ll see exactly what a cat can do.” He stares at me, momentarily taken aback. I rarely let my anger spill over like this—and he knows it. He knew me before he left to train the packs. “Raven, I’m going to be the new Alpha soon. Please,” he says, as if that means a damn thing to me. I glance at Kieran and Dane. “Neither of you are welcome here when Sierra is around. You hear me?” My panther snarls, my fury barely contained. “I mean it. If you come in here and upset her, I’ll rip you apart myself.” “You can’t stop me from seeing my daughter,” Kieran says stubbornly. But before I can reply, the café door swings open again. The scent that fills the air makes my stomach drop. Kieran stiffens. Oh, hell. She’s pissed. Chapter 5 Raven "YEAH, SHE CAN," a voice snaps from behind him. I can tell she’s pissed. How the hell is she still standing after being awake for 24 hours? Kieran spins around, and his face goes pale when he sees the daughter he once knew. She’s no longer the little girl he left behind. Sierra glares at him, but before she can say anything, a low growl fills the room—"MATE." All of us turn to look at Damon. His eyes are locked onto Sierra. Oh, shit. This is not going to end well. Sierra meets his gaze briefly before striding towards Kieran and Dane, her face unreadable. “You need to back off,” she snarls. I can feel Aria trying to break through. The energy radiating from Sierra is overwhelming. Eleanor glances at her cousin and smirks. "Don't talk to—" Dane starts, but Sierra cuts him off with a guttural growl. Her eyes shift from their usual blue to a striking, glowing green. "You wouldn’t want to piss me off, brother." We all freeze, stunned. Eleanor and I have heard Aria and Sierra speak in unison before, but seeing it now is still something else. I glance at Damon, but he’s still fixated on Sierra—his mate. "What? You thought I wouldn't figure out who you are?" Sierra challenges Dane. "I recognized your scent at the station. You smell just like him." Then, she turns to Kieran. "And don’t think for a second that acting like the father I should have had is going to work. You abandoned me for ten years. So why the hell would I want you in my life now?" Kieran looks wounded. But what did he expect? I told him Sierra wanted nothing to do with him. She didn’t even know about Dane—let alone the sister she’s yet to meet. Sierra steps closer, eyes locked onto them both. Aria is close to the surface, her power amplified by Sierra’s rage. If we can feel it, I wonder if they can, too. "You’re going to listen, and you’re going to listen well," she says, voice deadly calm. "I don’t want anything to do with you or your new little family. You left me alone to survive for a decade, and guess what? I did just fine. If you ever come back, I’ll let my panther out. And trust me—she’s a hell of a lot less friendly than I am." She bares her teeth. "Now take whatever you came for and go." She strides between them and heads straight toward me. That’s when I realize—she’s still in her Minnie Mouse pajamas. She must have sensed him outside earlier. Damon hasn’t taken his eyes off her. Before anyone else can speak, Sierra turns to him. "Oh, and Alpha—I don’t want a mate." Damon lets out a deep growl. "You don’t mean that," he says, barely keeping himself and his wolf in check. Sierra shrugs. "Take it however you want. I’m only here for a few weeks, and then I’m gone." Damon stares at her, saying nothing, though the hurt in his eyes is obvious. I know why she doesn’t want a mate. There are memories—dark ones—she’d rather forget. She hates men in general, and honestly, I don’t blame her. The tension in the air is suffocating. After a long moment, I turn to Kieran and Dane. "I think you all should leave now," I say. "Oh, and don’t forget the cakes on your way out." Dane glances at me and offers a small, grateful smile, mouthing thank you. He looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn’t. Damon still hasn’t moved. He’s rooted in place, staring at Sierra. Dane finally pulls him toward the door, leading him outside to the waiting SUV. Kieran hesitates, looking like he wants to say something, but he just exhales sharply, grabs the boxes, and walks out. Eleanor holds the door open for him. Another SUV pulls up, and Kieran loads the boxes inside before climbing in. Within seconds, the vehicle disappears down the road. Dane lingers a moment longer, stepping back into the café for the last box. Sierra and I watch him from behind the counter. He stops at the door, glancing over his shoulder at us. "I know what our father did. I don’t condone it," he says. "But if possible, I’d like to get to know my older sister." Sierra lets out a low growl. Dane flinches slightly but keeps his gaze steady. "I’m sorry, Sierra," he murmurs before walking out. Eleanor shuts the door and turns back to us. "Well, cuz, I’m so glad you’re here," she teases with a smirk. Sierra walks up to her and smiles, pulling her into a hug. They both turn to look at me, but before either can speak— "How did you know?" I ask Sierra. She studies me for a second before answering. "I smelled his scent outside. It woke Aria up. But the rest? I’ve always known. I just never told you." She exhales sharply, her expression darkening. "I hate him even more now. He never came for me." The bitterness in her voice is unmistakable. I know she’s hurting. And I have no doubt that Kieran is a big reason why she refuses to accept her mate. "Well, let’s close up. You look like you should be in bed," I say with a chuckle. Sierra glances down at herself, and Eleanor notices too. They both start laughing. We move around the café, making sure everything is cleaned up—tables wiped down, chairs in their proper places, all the lights turned off. Sierra yawns. "You need rest," I tell her. She nods. "Let’s go home," she says before turning to Eleanor. "You coming? We could have one of our famous sleepovers." Eleanor grins but shakes her head. I know that’s not happening—Eleanor has a ceremony to attend with her mate. "I can’t, cuz. You need your beauty sleep," she teases. Sierra rolls her eyes, but Eleanor shoots me a knowing look. Don’t tell her about Caleb yet, Mom. I nod subtly. Eleanor only knows bits and pieces of why Sierra refuses to accept her mate, but she’s scared to tell her just yet. She has no idea how Sierra will react when she finds out. Sierra yawns again, making us laugh. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Time for bed," I say, leading her out of the café and toward home. Chapter 6 Damon I found my mate. But she wants nothing to do with me. I’m beyond pissed. Why doesn’t she want me? I glance at Kieran. His face is unreadable, but I know he’s hurting. He finally met his daughter, yet she rejected him outright. I don’t know the full story between them, but whatever it is, it’s bad. “I’m sorry, Damon,” he suddenly says, still staring ahead. When I turn to look at him, I notice a small, sad smile on his face. He doesn’t elaborate. “You okay, Kieran?” I ask, studying him. His expression remains blank, but I continue, “I just wanted to say sorry about what happened at the café.” He nods, and I can feel the guilt radiating off him. He’s deeply wounded. After a moment, he exhales heavily. “We need to see your father when we get back to the pack house,” he says. “But I have one request.” His voice is almost pleading. “Don’t tell him about Sierra being your mate just yet.” His words catch me off guard. Why wouldn’t he want me to tell my own father? Especially since my mate is his best friend’s daughter—well, his long-lost daughter. “Why, Kieran? He’d be happy that I found my mate,” I say, but the look on his face tells me there’s more to this than I understand. “He will be—once he knows she’s my daughter. But there are things you don’t know yet, and that’s why we need to talk to him first. We have to explain everything to you. It might help you understand why Sierra doesn’t want a mate,” he finally says. I stare at him, momentarily stunned, but I quickly regain my composure. “Alright, I won’t say anything. But Kieran… what happened to make her hate you so much?” I ask, immediately regretting it as soon as the words escape my mouth. His shame crashes over me like a tidal wave. “I hurt her mother in the worst way possible,” he confesses quietly. “And I never claimed her as my mate.” I’m speechless. “I’ll explain everything when we see your father,” he adds. I glance at the man who had trained me when my father was too busy. I grew close to his son, Dane, who’s now about to become my Beta, and his sister, Nova. They’ve been like siblings to me—we argue and fight just like real siblings do. Sierra would have made an impression on me if she’d been around. Even in those pajamas, she exuded a quiet strength. I couldn’t quite make out her figure, but I didn’t care. Those piercing blue eyes, the rich brown hair messily tied into a bun, and those soft pink lips—it all made me want her even more. When her panther stirred, her eyes glowed green, and I felt an immense power roll off her in waves. It was unnerving. There was more to her than I could see. Her emotions dictated the intensity of her energy, and at that moment, all I felt from her was pure rage. The car ride back to the pack house is quiet. It’s a long drive from town, and our driver is stuck behind another vehicle. Kieran stares out the window, lost in thought. I mind-link my father. “Hey, Dad, we’re on our way back with the cakes. There’s something you need to know. Sierra is back.” “Yeah, I heard,” my father replies gruffly. “Kieran went to see her. I take it that didn’t go well? I told him to give her a few days to settle in.” I sigh. “‘Didn’t go well’ is an understatement. She was furious. He wants the three of us to meet in your office to talk about it.” My father is silent for a beat before responding. “We need to talk. I think you should be there for all of this—you’ll be Alpha soon.” “Alright. We’ll be there in twenty minutes.” I stick to Kieran’s request and don’t mention to my father that Sierra is my mate. When we finally arrive at the pack house, we step out of the SUV. Caleb, my soon-to-be Gamma, is waiting nearby. I know why—his mate, Eleanor, nearly got herself ripped apart for disrespecting me. From the look on his face, he already knows. “Sorry about Eleanor, Alpha,” he says immediately. “She was just protecting her mother.” I nod. “I’ll apologize to her later.” He gives me a strange look. “You shouldn’t have to apologize. She’s still adjusting to our ways here. They lost their pack years ago and have been moving around ever since,” he explains, his gaze shifting past me to Kieran. “He shouldn’t have gone there,” he mutters. “I know most of what happened—Eleanor told me. It’s bad.” I stare at him, taken aback. “I’ll find out more when we talk to my father,” I say before shutting off the mind-link. Caleb nods and heads toward his house, where Eleanor is waiting. He probably misses her. Eleanor had mentioned wanting to tell Sierra something, but she wasn’t sure how her cousin would react—especially when it came to the subject of mates. There has to be a reason why she despises the idea of having one. A low growl rumbles in my head—my wolf, Cruz. “She’ll come around. We just need to take things slow with her.” I freeze. My wolf has been obsessed with finding our mate for years, but he’s never been this patient before. Normally, he’s possessive and restless. But now, he just wants what’s best for Sierra—even if that means taking our time. “What’s gotten into you? You’ve been quiet since you told me Sierra was our mate,” I ask him. Cruz is silent for a moment before sighing. “I’m being careful with her. Seeing her father after all these years made her angry. And her panther… she’s powerful. Her emotions fuel her strength, and I think her panther has her own feelings about this entire situation. We need to figure out what happened.” I nod. “You’re right, Cruz. Let’s find out exactly what we’re dealing with.” He chuckles before settling in the back of my mind, alert but waiting. Waiting to learn more about our mate. 😍Click to continue reading	LEARN_MORE	https://novel.tapread.com/overseas-h5/flow?pixelId	TapNovel	https://www.facebook.com/61570337432882/	81	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	novel.tapread.com	VIDEO		https://novel.tapread.com/overseas-h5/flow?pixelId=609517044808042&page_id=5648f3830186498d96f20b0bab75bbb5	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481160577_1756386731878649_254589263054767387_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uhc8C5kWLdwQ7kNvgFzDTz5&_nc_oc=Adi-g2KU77jS6TfnZxu8msaBYd0VWIh9hsQtNZmMx2nrwJnVB713e445vBYwGhnrpV6EMxyBumvJxkRdXN0wk5-l&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AhkCwi8TWwgzxp1PVcokhEr&oh=00_AYAygTS7E1BTaNgEt9BgMTkyS5ewb4qFOMXl9z9phiEp0w&oe=67C735F8	PERSON_PROFILE	TapNovel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,047	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Chronic Illness Support \| 35% OFF + Free Shipping	Staying hydrated has never been easier! Introducing Buoy - your daily dose of ocean electrolytes and trace minerals. 💧 Buoy’s benefits go beyond peak hydration. Get more out of every sip with a highly bioavailable form factor loaded with hard-to-find minerals. 💦 Clean Hydration 💧 Liquid Form Factor 🚫 No Sugar, Sweeteners, Or Flavors 🧋 Add To Any Drink 🏥 Clinically Tested ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”This liquid hydration checks all the boxes for me: balanced ingredients, sustainably packaged, and easy to use.” - Anna K. Try it for yourself today and enjoy 35% OFF + Free Shipping through our Chronic Illness Support Program! Shop Now 👉 justaddbuoy.com	SHOP_NOW	https://justaddbuoy.com/pages/chronic-illness-supp	Buoy	https://www.facebook.com/BuoyHydration/	7,873	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	justaddbuoy.com	DCO	Stay Hydrated With Buoy 💧	https://justaddbuoy.com/pages/chronic-illness-support	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480785694_667463849132537_3450906912126087366_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vWnDaprwGiwQ7kNvgElcSbS&_nc_oc=AdhIs1r4TWdBehD23cJxz5QIIS0bgJOZ23PJ0SLdwGegYgT2FxFiP2SL_VpNFPEqpbhVPWpO14gaW5F0V9bl7h8t&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHK_PnpbPVEy01dC3uFuyqI&oh=00_AYA_iF4JDBIzsrvw2tUJzR5osC5HPlH7M_pW5_UMquN9aQ&oe=67C710C9	PERSON_PROFILE	Buoy	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,715	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Start Vagus Nerve Reset Challenge ▶️	🐶 Unlock Your Dog’s Natural Calm with the Vagus Nerve Reset Challenge! 🐶 Simple, science-backed exercises to reduce anxiety & stress 🐶 Reduce anxiety, improve digestion, and strengthen stress resilience in just 10 minutes a day. 🐶 No force, no complex training—just fun & relaxation for your pup 👇 Click below to restore balance and help your dog feel calm, confident, and stress-free!	LEARN_MORE	https://getpawchamp.com/questionary/quiz/quiz34?ut	PawChamp Dog Community	https://www.facebook.com/61573725087663/	14	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	getpawchamp.com	VIDEO	Many trainers charge hundreds of dollars for no improvement! Get a result in a reasonable time frame, without having to spend hours training every day.	https://getpawchamp.com/questionary/quiz/quiz34?utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&ad.id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481894792_1627788918066935_8661909058364858876_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iHtvy1DfQnwQ7kNvgFe1JdU&_nc_oc=Adhzybr3afjusPNxoBkM1_dwuwduav-xVgncTLSVCZimRJI22PeSwcJz7Wo3NBlLPMPD96bImGYrdYFLFz2_p7FX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A3025hpPYtTRqj--B9j8Xfn&oh=00_AYDwaeFWlSBWraoacnohz49lFh6XYPqzqbYbslJq2f3nvg&oe=67C7342D	PERSON_PROFILE	PawChamp Dog Community	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,716	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Shockwave Therapy Deal – $59 Only!	Hello Laguna Beach and surrounding areas! 👋 Secure one of 30 vouchers for a comprehensive Wave Therapy package: Consultation, Examination & Treatment – all for just $49! Act now! 🌊 Valued at $300 Why Shockwave Therapy? 🌍 Proven Success in Europe Over 10+ Years, US FDA-Cleared for Pain and Connective Tissue Activation Experience the Magic: 💫 Harmless Yet Powerful Electro Hydraulic Shockwaves 💨 Traveling at 3,335 mph to Reduce Inflammation 🔄 Stimulating Circulation for Swift Healing Research Insights: 🔬 New Blood Vessel Growth 🌱 Migration of Stem Cells in 8 to 10 Weeks The Wave Therapy Advantage: 🎯 Reduces Pain and Promotes Regeneration 🩸 Increased Blood Flow and Stem Cell Activation 🛑 Effective for Unresponsive Conditions Successfully Treated Conditions: ✅ Knee, TMJ, Shoulder, Back, Neck Pain ✅ Arthritis, Neuropathy, Carpal Tunnel ✅ Ligament Damage, Plantar Fasciitis ✅ Sciatica, Nerve & Tendinitis Pain Discover the uniqueness and success that has patients traveling 30+ miles for this therapy! 🚗 Ready to transform your well-being? We're here to swiftly reduce stress, discomfort, and pain, improving your overall quality of life. 🌈 Claim your voucher now and embark on your journey to wellness:	LEARN_MORE	https://thechiropromo.com/activation12	Aloha Flodius Chiropractic	https://www.facebook.com/61558423716628/	71	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	thechiropromo.com	VIDEO		https://thechiropromo.com/activation12	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481224235_1169347928029841_1565729688520105256_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RMbhL985QZYQ7kNvgEWrbEy&_nc_oc=AdjlBeAk-iKu5RXdFbPDmnFQfJkcFA-B4kyCUGtQ6k_GmTPqQMTS_sU6q0skmU1UTuYcPw9tg5fQ_GduQ6jeUKCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A3025hpPYtTRqj--B9j8Xfn&oh=00_AYCut9pSybS-IoQjIo1SvycC9ljk9iaPotcGlxiFMvVusA&oe=67C70D85	PERSON_PROFILE	Aloha Flodius Chiropractic	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,659	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651		BITTER COLD Produced By @bobbyraps More fire off the GODNA album Shot & edited by @white_hennessy_music #boombap #90shiphop #rappersofinstagram #musicindustrynews #lyricalhiphop #linkinbio 🦍🐙🦖🪮👽	VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/theycallme_muja	TheycallmeMuja	https://www.facebook.com/61573137324756/	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram profile	instagram.com	VIDEO		http://instagram.com/theycallme_muja	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481054697_1152749519252161_6930481534865908621_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CPun-dwx-ZoQ7kNvgHuVKiX&_nc_oc=AdihY8W5Q3pO3NEcneMS7QuHXO_pG4sxENEKFzJRkNElDQPoq04PAxtYGaoHTIhCY1i4yS_9bNEpDu_R9YhiZStt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A1ajhy8z-9wwpIT8z7FNi4x&oh=00_AYBPzfxW2AwrbRjnEnz3pTydJsKDPB6b3SV7d1g4Q0CMKg&oe=67C70AE0	PERSON_PROFILE	TheycallmeMuja	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

Page 48 of 63, showing 20 record(s) out of 1,241 total

Download CSV New Ads

Search

Ads